Nathan Lyon, Australia’s premier Test spinner, has signed a three-year contract to play for Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League through the 2025-26 season. With his transfer to the Renegades, Lyon has severed his long-standing ties to the three-time champion Sydney Sixers.
Lyon, who is frequently regarded as a red-ball specialist, has not played a Twenty20 International for Australia in nearly five years. At Renegades, he will play alongside Adam Zampa, Australia’s first-choice spinner in limited-overs cricket. The leg spinner recently made the switch to Renegades after previously playing for Melbourne Stars.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of the Melbourne Renegades,” Lyon said. “(Marvel Stadium’s) a place where I enjoy bowling, it tends to spin a little bit. I’m looking forward to hopefully joining up with ‘Zamps’ in a really good partnership and putting a show on for the Renegades fans.
“I’ve got some really good friends who are part of the Melbourne Renegades, and that’s one of the reasons I wanted to come down. There’s a good group of senior players there who I’ve played a lot of crickets with internationally and also domestically, then you look at the younger guys throughout the roster – it’s a pretty powerful squad in my eyes. I think we need to set the benchmark high, shoot for the finals and make sure we go and try to lift the trophy.”
Prior to his time with the Sixers, Lyon began his BBL tenure with the Adelaide Strikers. Due to national responsibilities, the 35-year-old has played in only 38 BBL games to date, collecting 44 wickets at an economy rate of 7.18.
Lyon is presently recuperating from a calf injury that prevented him from playing in the final three Ashes Tests. He is expected to recuperate in time to participate in Australia’s Test campaign, which begins against Pakistan on December 14. On December 8, Renegades launch their campaign. The final summer Test against West Indies is scheduled to begin the day following the BBL final. If Lyon plays all five scheduled home Tests this summer, he will miss the preponderance of this season’s matches.
“Over the last couple of years, we’ve had a clear plan around transforming our playing list to give our club the best opportunity to contend for another BBL championship,” Melbourne Renegades General Manager, James Rosengarten, said. “Being able to add two world-class spinners in Nathan and Adam to our squad for the next couple of years is a significant step in that process, one which we’re confident will help to set us up for success over the coming seasons.”
