Lyon to stand in for Hastings
Worcestershire County Cricket Club have moved to find a stand in for overseas professional John Hastings, signing Australia spinner Nathan Lyon for the duration of the Champions Trophy.
Hastings earned a recall to the Australia squad after proving his form and fitness for Worcestershire in the County Championship leaving the club searching for someone to stand in for the big man.
Lyon’s deal to join Worcestershire is conditional on Cricket Australia granting a No Objection Certificate.
Worcestershire Director Of Cricket Steve Rhodes said: “Nathan Lyon will be joining us and he will replace John (Hastings). He is a very good replacement. It is a different slant, from a pace bowler to a spin bowler.
“The good thing for Worcestershire supporters is we have replaced a top international with another top international cricketer.
“Nathan has been mainly playing Test Match cricket for Australia and is available for Worcestershire CCC as he has not been picked for the Champions Trophy, Australia having selected a couple of batting spinners instead.
“He is the number one international spinner in Australia at the moment and just had recent success in India.
“Nathan is a very respected off spinner and we are looking forward to him joining us and replacing John for the time he is away.”
Lyon has been predominantly a Test specialist in his international career and with young leggie Adam Zampa picked as the spinner for Australia at the Champions Trophy he is one of the few top-class international bowlers available.
Rhodes added: “If you look at top international bowlers who are available while the Champions Trophy is going on – plus those with West Indies and Afghanistan – you don’t seem to see many who are available.
“Nathan has never played County cricket and I really try to get overseas players who are looking for a challenge and are hungry to succeed.
“He is a great competitor and to get someone like Nathan is really important for Worcestershire.”
Latest
-
NewsNottinghamshire take control against Hampshire
Warwickshire staged an impressive fightback to take command of their crucial clash with Yorkshire at Emerald Headingley.
-
NewsMP claims Yorkshire’s timing of Azeem Rafiq statement release left ‘a bad taste’
The county put out a summary of findings barely 15 minutes after England’s Test against India was called off.
-
NewsDog brings cricket match to a halt by playing fetch with ball
The interruption came as Bready took on CSNI in the semi-final of the women’s Clear Currency All-Ireland T20 Cup.
-
NewsBairstow, Woakes and Malan poised to pull out of Indian Premier League
Rajasthan Royals have already announced Jos Buttler will be absent for the remainder of the IPL.
-
NewsYorkshire accused of ‘lack of genuine contrition’ by MPs over Azeem Rafiq racism
The former Yorkshire players says the county are institutionally racist.
-
NewsKey questions answered as final Test between England and India is cancelled
India led 2-1 going into the final match of the series at Old Trafford.
-
NewsECB, India and Old Trafford in damage limitation mode after cancelled Test
Covid-19 concerns among the India backroom staff left the tourists unwilling to take to the field for the series decider.
-
News‘Gutted’ fans left counting cost after last-minute England v India cancellation
The match was cancelled just a few minutes before the gates opened at 9am.
-
NewsEngland and India seek to reschedule fifth Test following late cancellation
The Old Trafford clash fell a little more than two hours before it was due to start.
-
NewsYorkshire: ‘No question’ ex-player Azeem Rafiq was victim of racial harassment
Rafiq says the county are institutionally racist.