Test spinner Lyon moves to NSW

SYDNEY (AFP) –

Australian Test spinner Nathan Lyon (L) bowls a delivery during their Sri Lanka Test in Hobart on December 17, 2012. He has made an inter-state switch, leaving South Australia to join New South Wales, Cricket NSW said on Thursday.

Australian Test spinner Nathan Lyon has made an inter-state switch, leaving South Australia to join New South Wales, Cricket NSW said on Thursday.

The New South Wales-born off-spinner, 25, has played 22 Tests and was named Wednesday in Australia’s touring squad to play in this year’s Ashes series in England.

Cricket NSW said the move will allow Lyon to work closely with former Test bowler Stuart MacGill, who works as a part-time spin coach at Cricket Australia’s centre of excellence.

“Having grown up in New South Wales and played my early cricket there, it is an exciting prospect to be returning home,” Lyon said.

“Knowing a number of the players pretty well, I’m looking forward to coming to Sydney to live and being part of the Blues squad for next season.”

NSW boast a number of other Australian internationals on their books including Test captain Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson.