Get ready to hear Lyon roar at Worcs

WORCESTERSHIRE are replacing one Australian with another with Nathan Lyon set to come to the county in June in place of John Hastings.

Hastings was named in Australia’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy with Lyon’s arrival at the County Championship Division Two side subject to clearance from Cricket Australia.

It would be the first experience of county cricket for Lyon, 29, having taken 247 wickets in the 67 Tests he has played.

Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes said: “We’ve replaced a top international with another top international. Signing a top-class international spinner is terrific for us from the performance angle.

“Nathan is also a very committed dressing room man and our young spinners like George Rhodes and Ben Twohig will have the opportunities to pick his brains over that period.”

Lyon has 13 ODIS and one T20I for Australia and he follows in a long line of Australians to represent Worcestershire including Tom Moody, Glenn McGrath, Andy Bichel, Phil Hughes, Steve Smith and Hastings.

Rhodes added: “Nathan has been mainly playing Test match cricket for Australia and is available for Worcestershire as he has not been picked for the Champions Trophy, Australia having selected a couple of batting spinners instead.

“He is the No.1 international spinner in Australia at the moment and just had recent success in India. Nathan is a very respected bowler and we are looking forward to him joining us and replacing John for the time he is away.”