Australia struggling to find the next Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon’s place in Australia’s cricket history is undebatable — but the lack of new talent coming through to take the place of our most successful off-spinner remains a mystery even to the man himself.

Lyon admits finding your own style isn’t easy. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

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Nathan Lyon perfected a simple little trick which helped him change the world of off-spin … but the world has not changed with him.

Australia was hoping Lyon’s stunning 363 wicket Test career would spawn a generation of copycats but, much like the Shane Warne phenomenon, those inspired by Lyon often surged through the junior ranks before being bludgeoned into submission by second or third grade batsmen.

Before Lyon surged to prominence Australia’s most successful off-spinner was Hugh Trumble with 141 wickets but, unlike many of the tweakers who preceded him, Lyon was not so much obsessed about spinning the ball but bouncing it on minimally turning Australian decks.

So he perfected a method where he rips his fingers over the top rather than around the ball to make it loop and drop and pop up near the batsmen’s gloves … simple to explain, hard to do.

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Who will take over the spin? Photo: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

“I started working with John Davison and Craig Howard at the spin camps when I was about 18 playing for the ACT Comets,’’ Lyon said this week.

“John was a big advocate of spinning up the back of the ball and he really explained why.

“It is about getting the most out of the bounce in Australia. That is your biggest weapon as a spinner. You only need to spin the ball half the bat. If you can get the ball bouncing up around the stickers of the bat you can create a few chances.’’

Off-spin bowling is cricket’s easiest and toughest trade. Anyone can do it but barely anyone can do it well.

There is daylight between Lyon and the next best spinner in Australia — whoever that is — and not a lot emerging so its Lyon or bust for the Test side this summer.

Lyon admits finding your own style isn’t easy. Photo: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The big question is why there has been no Lyon “over the top’’ clone and even the man himself cannot answer that one.

“I am not sure why. Obviously it would be nice to see kids trying to copy you but it is down to the individual. You have to find a way that works.

“Everyone has to find their way and what works for them. When I look at the subcontinent I will look at the way (Ravi) Ashwin bowls in Indian conditions. I will try and replicate what works over there.’’

Australia has the best batsman (Steve Smith) and bowler (Pat Cummins) in the world but the most irreplaceable player in their Test XI is Lyon to the point that Australia did not even bother naming a second spinner in the Ashes squad (though Jon Holland came close).

Lyon was devastated to miss a run out which would have sealed the Ashes a Test early at Leeds on the recent tour but was rescued from his grief when Australia won the Ashes at Old Trafford.

“Obviously I was pretty gutted after Leeds I had a lot of messages from really good mates and family and you realise it is just a game.

“It’s about how you bounce back when your back is against the wall. It was not ideal but we got there in the end.’’

Lyon is an ambassador for Kayo which will feature 50 sports including every ball of the international and Big Bash summer and will this summer give fans the chance to face a special simulator which replicates 12 of the most famous balls in cricket history.

Originally published as Australia struggling to find the next Nathan Lyon