The 'Reasons to like Nathan Lyon' thread.

[Zat]

The more this bloke plays, with a down-to-earth, have-a-go attitude, the more I like him. I know I was probably the first former to get on the bandwagon, due to him being from my part of the world (ish) and because I have had some contact with his mum, but he seems to be the kind of player Australia should be picking. Take this, from the Fairfax press today:

The 24-year-old former Adelaide Oval groundsman from the New South Wales bush cast a despondent figure as he was consoled by Warner after Doug Bracewell struck the knockout blow. ''I was pretty gutted,'' Lyon said. ''The idea of cricket is you have the bat in your hands, you have to score runs, if you have the ball you take wickets. I don't think it matters if you're No. 1 or No. 11, your job is to score runs. It was gutting. That kind of experience takes a bit out of you.''

Some of his teammates should read that and rethink their attitudes.

[PeterCS]

Better to like Lyon, than find reasons to be Beerful.

Except in Homer's sense.

[Nath]

b/c he's not a tosser or commands the spotlight, like so many players these days

[Henry]

You often hear the stories about him being a club cricketer who was working as a groundsman, and suddenly thrust into first class cricket, and when you see him play you can tell. Not because of any lack of ability, but he just doesn't look like the typical athletic, groomed Aussie cricketer. He gives off the impression that he's a club cricketer who's been mistaken for someone more important and has suddenly found himself bowling in a test match for his country, but is happy to go along with it.

If you think back to the close finish of the Wanderers test, most international number 11 batsmen waiting to bat with 10 needed to win would be trying to look cool and calm, knowing the cameras are on them, but Lyon looked like he was dead-set sh*tting himself. It was honest and real, and frankly quite funny.

He wont always be successful, but the new Aus selection panel should stick with him for a while.

[lardbucket]

His slightly left-field selection reminds me of those of Peter Taylor, John Watkins, and Tauseef Ahmed. If he can do as well as (1) or (3), he'll have done well enough.

[tricycle]

He's better than Doherty, Smith and Beer, while that's like saying he's better than hepatitis, there's enough reason to like him already. He could be a good international bowler, though it's hard to see him have a great series against India.

[Hass]

''The idea of cricket is you have the bat in your hands, you have to score runs, if you have the ball you take wickets. I don't think it matters if you're No. 1 or No. 11, your job is to score runs."

This is one of the best quotes from a cricketer I have seen... ever!

His team mates should be made to read it and re-read it until the point has sunk in.

[skully]

Aye, there's a lot to like about Elmer.

[Big Dog]

He's better than Doherty, Smith and Beer, while that's like saying he's better than hepatitis, there's enough reason to like him already. He could be a good international bowler, though it's hard to see him have a great series against India.

Rubbish....Doherty is a far better limited over bowler.

[tricycle]

Mendis is better than Herath in ODIs but there's no debate as to who's better.

[Henry]

He's better than Doherty, Smith and Beer, while that's like saying he's better than hepatitis, there's enough reason to like him already. He could be a good international bowler, though it's hard to see him have a great series against India.

Rubbish....Doherty is a far better limited over bowler.

Has Lyon even made his ODI/T20 debut for Australia yet?

He was basically selected for the Australian test team based on his Big Bash form.

[Big Dog]

He's better than Doherty, Smith and Beer, while that's like saying he's better than hepatitis, there's enough reason to like him already. He could be a good international bowler, though it's hard to see him have a great series against India.

Rubbish....Doherty is a far better limited over bowler.

Has Lyon even made his ODI/T20 debut for Australia yet?

No...and is unlikely to.

[Brass Monkey]

Yeah, I don't mind Lyon. Gives it a bit of a rip, not afraid to give it a bit of air. Haven't seen too many good changes of pace yet but he's relatively young. Hauritz is probably better, though.

[G.Wood]

The more this bloke plays, with a down-to-earth, have-a-go attitude, the more I like him. I know I was probably the first former to get on the bandwagon, due to him being from my part of the world (ish) and because I have had some contact with his mum, but he seems to be the kind of player Australia should be picking. Take this, from the Fairfax press today:

The first former what?

[skully]

He knows Elmer's Mum. Maybe former MILFer?

[G.Wood]

Could explain why zat has taken such an interest in his career.

thin, fair haired - all the similarities are there

[Henry]

Yeah, I don't mind Lyon. Gives it a bit of a rip, not afraid to give it a bit of air. Haven't seen too many good changes of pace yet but he's relatively young. Hauritz is probably better, though.

I'd have Lyon and Hauritz on a par as bowlers, with Hauritz the better batsman.

There's a suspicion however that Lyon has a bit more ticker.

[Mick Sawyer]

You often hear the stories about him being a club cricketer who was working as a groundsman, and suddenly thrust into first class cricket, and when you see him play you can tell. Not because of any lack of ability, but he just doesn't look like the typical athletic, groomed Aussie cricketer. He gives off the impression that he's a club cricketer who's been mistaken for someone more important and has suddenly found himself bowling in a test match for his country, but is happy to go along with it.

If you think back to the close finish of the Wanderers test, most international number 11 batsmen waiting to bat with 10 needed to win would be trying to look cool and calm, knowing the cameras are on them, but Lyon looked like he was dead-set sh*tting himself. It was honest and real, and frankly quite funny.

He wont always be successful, but the new Aus selection panel should stick with him for a while.

[Zat]

The more this bloke plays, with a down-to-earth, have-a-go attitude, the more I like him. I know I was probably the first former to get on the bandwagon, due to him being from my part of the world (ish) and because I have had some contact with his mum, but he seems to be the kind of player Australia should be picking. Take this, from the Fairfax press today:

The first former what?

Farquin auto-spell correct...

[horace]

Lyon is the sort of whole hearted cricketer that every team needs

[lardbucket]

Lyon is the sort of whole hearted cricketer that every team needs

Aye.

[Nath]

plus he has an awesome first name.

[horace]

rofl...has been a while since he played a significant role in a cricket match

[embee]

another reason for horrie to dislike Nathan Lyon

RB Simpson and N Lyon only two Oz spinners to Michelle in Oz vs Bannies

[horace]

urrkkhh....I like Lyon but believe he needs to take wickets to keep his spot...which he has done in this match...

I hope he takes 6 wickets in the Bannies' second dig...this would expunge Simpson

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