Nathan Lyon Pushing For Selection In All Three Formats: Mark Waugh

Lavishing praise on Nathan Lyon, former Australia batsman and current national selector Mark Waugh, on Friday (January 19), said that the Test spin spearhead is very much in the frame for a one-day recall. Waugh’s statement came shortly before the reigning world champions dropped Adam Zampa for the second One-Day International against England in Brisbane.

Waugh said Lyon is bowling “too well to ignore” and went on to insist that the off-spinner is not considered as a Test specialist. Lyon enjoyed a stunning outing in the Ashes and has continued his hot form in the ongoing Big Bash League, picking up six wickets at 9.83 in three matches for Sydney Sixers. His economy is even more impressive as he has conceded at a rate of just 4.91.

“It doesn’t matter what form of the game he’s bowling in at the moment. He’s gone to another level,” Waugh told Sky Sports radio.

“His confidence has flown through to his white-ball cricket. He’s pushing for selection in all three formats.

“At the moment Adam Zampa is in the one-day squad and he’s done a good job when he’s been in there. Nathan Lyon’s one-day form a few years ago wasn’t as good as what it could possibly be now. He’s definitely in the frame, we’re not discounting him. He’s just bowling too well to ignore, but at the moment you can only fit 11 players in the (team),” Waugh added.

At the same time, Waugh also insisted that Lyon’s impressive form does not rule Zampa out of contention.

“It’s a very good squad and Zampa’s record is good. (Lyon’s exclusion) is probably more that there’s not enough room, but he’s definitely on the radar.”

The young leg-spinner has taken 40 wickets in 28 ODIs since making his debut in February 2016. He was also the leading ODI wicket taker in 2016. However, he has had an indifferent 2017 and as a result, lost his place in the playing eleven for a while during the tour of India.

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