Young Nathan Lyon fans get a surprise in Barbados
ESPNcricinfo staff
27-Jun-2025
Will Nathan Lyon be able to make an impact with the ball in the second innings in Bridgetown? • Getty Images
Australia are not having their best outing in the Barbados Test, struggling for runs on tricky pitch. But two young Aussie fans had their day made when Nathan Lyon turned up to have a chat with them after the day's play.
Lyon went up to greet the ten-year-olds, Ollie and Max, who were sporting "Nice, Garry" t-shirts with his picture on them. Ollie told Lyon he was an opening batter and Lyon asked him for some tips.
"We might need some runs tomorrow," Lyon said. "Don't get out," was Ollie's sound advice. "That's pretty hard for me," exclaimed Lyon (Test batting average 12.6). Max informed him that he's a legspin bowler.
When Ollie said he only batted, didn't bowl, Lyon shared some cricket wisdom with the boys. "You know what the biggest tip I can give you as a kid? Try to do everything. Just don't focus on one thing. I used to be a batter as well, but then I fell in love with bowling, but if you can bat and bowl, it makes cricket so much more fun."
Lyon then gifted the kids a training jersey and a cricket ball and advised them to share the two between them.
Here are the boys, posing with their "Nice, Garry t-shirts".
Australia were dismissed for 180 in the first innings and West Indies managed just a ten-run lead. At stumps on day two, Australia were 92 for 4 in their second innings, losing their top four - Sam Konstas, Usman Khawaja, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis.