Mike Hussey says Nathan Lyon is in career-best form and has backed the Test tweaker to flourish if given a chance in the shorter forms of international cricket.
Hussey believes the 26-year-old is benefiting from finally getting strong backing from the cricket leadership after battling to hold his spot early in his Test career.
Coming off 19 wickets at 29 in the recent Ashes series, Lyon has shown good form in a handful of Big Bash League appearances for the Sydney Sixers.
He farewelled the BBL finals-bound Sixers in style on Saturday. His 3-14 against the Sydney Thunder equalled his career best and included Hussey among his victims.
Lyon has played 30 Tests but only two one-day internationals – the last of which was almost two years ago – and no Twenty20 internationals.
“Without a doubt, he would definitely do a very good job in any form of the game, because he’s quite a smart bowler as well,” Hussey said of Lyon.
“He knew the times to attack and when to defend, so he’s definitely got the all-round game to do well in short-form cricket.”
Hussey said he thought Lyon would do well in South Africa. “I’ve been watching him closely during the Test series and I just think the ball is coming out of his hand beautifully,” he said.
“I think he’s also finally got the 100 per cent backing of everyone around in the set-up.
“Thats a big thing for a player to know, that you’ve got 100 per cent support from the selectors and the captain and the coach, then you really feel like you can just concentrate on your game and play your best cricket.”
Lyon said he was confident in his own skills at the moment.
“They are coming out really good and I’m just really enjoying every opportunity I get to play cricket,” he said.
“So, fingers crossed, that form can translate over in South Africa.”
Lyon will miss the remainder of the Sixers campaign.
This week, he will play the first two days of a Futures League game for NSW against a South Australia featuring his Test teammate and opening batsman Chris Rogers, as they seek red-ball practice before leaving for South Africa.