25 Jun 2015

Lyon to launch secret weapon in Ashes

11:44 am on 25 June 2015

The Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon says he's developed a secret, new delivery that he'll unleash on England in the upcoming Ashes.

The Australian spinner Nathan Lyon celebrates a wicket.

The Australian spinner Nathan Lyon celebrates a wicket. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Australian cricket fans are desperate for him to become the match-winning spinner they've been crying out for since Shane Warne retired, and Nathan Lyon seems to have picked up at least one trick from the champion leggie.

Like Australia's greatest ever wicket-taker, who would taunt opponents at the start of each summer with news that he'd conjured up a new delivery, Lyon has revealed he's got a special weapon in his arsenal.

It goes by the name of "square Jeff' and Lyon says he's ready to unleash it on England as Australia look to defend the Ashes.

Jeff, of course, is the delivery Lyon introduced to the world in 2012, which spins away from right-handed batsman the opposite of what his stock off-spin ball would do.

But `square Jeff' remains a secret - one which Lyon insists has only been revealed to Australian spin coach John Davison, who he's developed the ball with over the past two years.

"Jeff's still here I've got a couple of Jeffs now," Lyon said.

"He's still in the right-hand pocket that's for sure.

"I've got one in the left-hand pocket now. It's the square Jeff.

"There's a couple of differences, you'll just have to wait and see."

Lyon was cagey when quizzed by the British press on the specifics of the delivery, not wanting to give too much away as Australia look to win their first Ashes series on British soil since 2001.

"I can't (explain what it will do) because then (England captain) Alistair Cook will know. I can't reveal all my secrets."