Update: Nathan Lyon
Lancashire Cricket has been advised by Cricket Australia that Nathan Lyon’s spell at the Club requires a reduction in playing time for the Red Rose this season, in order to manage his bowling workloads leading into the 2024/25 Australian summer - culminating in their five Test series at home to India.
The Australian spinner was due to be available for the full 2024 season with Lancashire Cricket, however he will now be available for seven of the first nine rounds of Vitality County Championship matches only.
Lyon will arrive at Emirates Old Trafford ahead of the Club’s season opener against Surrey starting on Friday 5 April and will remain with the Red Rose until Wednesday 3 July, concluding with Lancashire’s match against Nottinghamshire at Southport & Birkdale CC.
During the recent Australian international summer of cricket, Lyon progressed to 530 Test match wickets and is now ranked as the seventh highest Test wicket taker of all time.
Lancashire Cricket’s Director of Cricket Performance Mark Chilton said: “Naturally, we are disappointed that Nathan will no longer be joining us for the full 2024 season. However, we are still incredibly excited to be able to welcome him for seven matches in the Vitality County Championship.
“After speaking with Nathan since this decision was taken, I know that he is still really excited about joining up with us and remains very committed to Lancashire Cricket, supporting the group and helping us to achieve our goals this summer.
“With Nathan no longer being available for our white-ball campaigns this summer, we are now assessing our options regarding overseas players and a number of discussions are currently taking place on that front.”