Hampshire have signed Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon for next year's Specsavers County Championship.
Last year's third-placed finishers have landed the 31-year-old on a red-ball contract for the 2020 season, further strengthening a slow-bowling attack that already includes England internationals Liam Dawson and Mason Crane.
Lyon sits third on his country's all-time wicket-taker list in Test cricket, with 363 scalps in 91 appearances.
The 🐐 is here! 🙌 Hampshire Cricket are delighted to announce the signing of @CricketAus off-spinner, Nathan Lyon! ✍️ 📝➡️ https://t.co/gt1Vm5HLUr pic.twitter.com/SBCw0bLI1h — Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) November 5, 2019
That haul includes 20 in this summer's drawn Ashes campaign, though his contribution to that campaign is perhaps better remembered for a botched run out of Jack Leach during the dramatic finale of the Headingley Test.
Despite his status as a long-term antagonist of England sides, and a recent favourite for heckling from the terraces, his pedigree with ball in hand means he is likely to be welcomed by fans on the south coast.
🗣️ "Nathan is a really high-class spinner and we identified him in the summer as someone who would be a great addition to our @CountyChamp side." 📝➡️ https://t.co/gt1Vm5HLUr#LyonSigns pic.twitter.com/qj8htYmcfN — Hampshire Cricket (@hantscricket) November 5, 2019
Lyon told Hampshire's official app: "I love playing cricket in England no doubt will enjoy the summer with the Hampshire players, coaches, members and supporters. We will all be focused on winning the championship in 2020 – I can't wait."
Director of cricket Giles White hailed the signing as a coup for the county.
"Nathan is a really high-class spinner and we identified him in the summer as someone who would be a great addition to our championship side. He has a real appetite for county cricket and is keen to be part of what we're trying to do here. We're delighted to secure his signature."
