Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia’s greatest-ever off-spinner is determined to help the next generation as Nathan Lyon takes Cooper Connolly under his wing ahead of their Sri Lanka tour.
14 years on from where Lyon launched his Test career, taking a wicket with his first ball, Lyon is turning his attention to supporting the next generation.
Connolly is a genuine bolter into the Test side with just four first-class matches to his name. While his batting has brought him into focus, Lyon hopes the 21-year-old can feed off his trade secrets to develop his bowling craft.
“It’s one of those ones I feel like I’ve got a lot of knowledge to pass on to especially the younger spinners and hopefully I can do that along our journey and help the guys out here and there and pass on a little bit of wisdom hopefully,” Lyon said.
“I’ve only ever spoken to Cooper about finger spin when he was running the drinks a couple of years ago at the Test match in Perth and he told me he’s more a batter. I haven’t seen him close up with the ball in hand so I’m looking forward to that.
“What I have seen in Shield bowling or Big Bash, I do feel like that Cooper would be able to play a role (with the ball). It’s just about making sure our preparation (is spot on), and the conversations that’s going to be had between the spin bowlers and Dan Vettori our spin coach are going to be pretty crucial.”
“It’s going to be pretty exciting to have someone like Cooper on the tour … all the senior players are there to help and guide them as well.”
Lyon had a low-key summer with pace dominating the Border-Gavaskar Trophy taking just nine wickets for the series and bowling the fewest overs of his career across a Test summer.
The veteran revealed he was also battling a minor hip injury but says he’s feeling fresh ahead of the Sri Lanka challenge.
“I’m just managing that little niggle and ensuring that my prep is right so we’re in a really good place to get over and compete against Sri Lanka,” Lyon said.
“It’s going to be a tough challenge and my main focus now is getting ready for Sri Lanka.
“It (irritated bursa) doesn’t impact bowling but I wanted to get rid of that come the Sri Lanka Test matches so I’m ready to fire from all cylinders because I dare say the workload is going to be a lot different to the home summer.”
