Before the 100 Test matches for Australia, 399 wickets and that trademark appeal to the umpire down on one knee with hands pointed to the sky waving madly, Nathan Lyon played cricket in the backyard.
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After reacquainting himself with the joys of playing at home during lockdown, Australia's greatest off spinner will help launch the ACT's biggest game of backyard cricket on Wednesday - scheduled for October 9 across the Territory.
Cricket ACT will partner with 7NEWS on the day, as locked down Canberrans are encouraged to grab a bat and ball, and usher in a new summer.
"The best thing about backyard cricket is that you can make up your own rules to reflect the space you have at home and the amount of people playing," Lyon said.
"If you don't have cricket equipment, backyard cricket is about improvising, so think about using a bin or the fence for stumps, socks for a ball, and a piece of wood as the bat.
"Everyone across the state is counting down the days until COVID-19 restrictions ease and the start of the community cricket season, so what better way to prepare for both than getting involved in ACT's Greatest Game of Backyard Cricket."
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Participants are encouraged to film their game of backyard cricket, and prizes will be on offer for the most creative wicket celebration.
Clubs are now taking registrations for players ahead of the upcoming season, which Cricket ACT hopes will begin in mid-November based on the Territory's proposed easing of restrictions after lockdown on October 15. Cricket Blast registrations are also open.
Lyon learned to play cricket at his family home in Young, long before moving to Canberra to establish himself with the Comets and ultimately as Australia's greatest off spinner.
"I've been involved in plenty of memorable wicket-taking celebrations during my career," Lyon said.
"I'm very much looking forward to seeing the thought and creativity that go into these entries as part of ACT's Biggest Game of Backyard Cricket."
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
