Lyon: It’s disappointing not to play county cricket with Hampshire this season
Australian Test spinner Nathan Lyon says it is “disappointing” not to be able to play county cricket with Hampshire this year but remains hopeful of rekindling the opportunity in the near future.
The 32-year-old was meant to play in the first half of Hampshire’s 2020 County Championship campaign.
However with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic delaying the start of the season until at least May 28, the deal had to be cancelled.
At a video press conference on Tuesday, Lyon said the decision was a mutual one.
“Obviously we’re in a little bit different circumstances to what we’re used to so it was a pretty easy decision from both the club and myself here that probably the time’s not right to head over there,” he said.
“It’s pretty disappointing that we’re unable to head over to Hampshire and be a part of that amazing club over there and play a lot of county cricket and hopefully help them on the way to a championship but it’s not… meant to be.”
Lyon called his time spent at Hampshire during Australia’s Ashes campaign “absolutely brilliant” and said he believed a stint with the club in future could help take his game to “new levels”.
“There is a lot of goals to go back there,” he said.
“They were absolutely brilliant to me. We had some really good conversations there and then about potentially coming over and playing some county cricket.
“They’ve got some unbelievable facilities there to train with and I feel like my game could go to a couple of new levels there if I was hopefully able to spend some time over there in the county season, so I look forward to the future.”
Hampshire director of cricket Giles White said on Friday that he hopes “to welcome (Lyon) to the club next season”.
Latest
-
NewsEngland make quick inroads into record chase against India
Alex Lees and Zak Crawley put on 107 for the first wicket after the hosts were set 378 to win.
-
NewsHosts face record run chase despite four wickets on fourth morning of fifth Test
India took their lead beyond 360 at Edgbaston in the series decider.
-
EnglandEngland ready to chase down any target India set, says Jonny Bairstow
The tourists established a commanding position, despite Bairstow’s knock of 106.
-
EnglandEngland still battling to contain India despite Jonny Bairstow century heroics
Bairstow’s 106 contained 14 boundaries and two sixes, but England still gave up a 132-run lead after being bowled out for 284.
-
EnglandJonny Bairstow century heroics for England not enough to keep India at bay
Bairstow made 106 in typically rambunctious style, with 14 boundaries and two sixes.
-
NewsIn-form Jonny Bairstow leads England charge against India in Edgbaston decider
The Yorkshireman raced to 91 not out as England progressed to 200 for six.
-
NewsJames Anderson expects England to maintain their aggressive approach
India are in control of Ben Stokes’ team at Edgbaston.
-
NewsStuart Broad delivers costliest Test innings as India take control at Edgbaston
Broad gave up a record 35 runs in the penultimate over of India’s first innings.
-
NewsStuart Broad over costs a Test record 35 runs as India take charge at Edgbaston
The tourists reduced England to 60 for three having made 416 in their first innings.
-
NewsStuart Broad makes history twice on wild morning at Edgbaston
Bowler reached two milestones, one definitely unwanted.