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The bats donated by the Nathan Lyon have a ‘sport for all’ quote written in Braille.
Nathan Lyon (left) shares a light moment with Virat Kohli. (AFP Photo)
Australia offspinner Nathan Lyon has donated bats signed by India stars Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah to the National Cricket Inclusion Championships (NCIC). Lyon is the ambassador of NCIC, an organisation that supports disabled cricketers in Australia.
The bats donated by the 37-year-old spinner have a ‘sport for all’ quote written in Braille. He earlier spoke to Cricket Australia about how top cricketers should inspire the next generation to take up the sport.
“The position we’re in as role models if we can inspire boys and girls to go out there and play this beautiful game, which I believe is a sport for all, then it’s worth it,” Lyon said.
Lyon is hopeful about these players earning a spot in the Australia Intellectual Disability (ID) team. “These guys are representing South Australia up in Brisbane, so in my eyes, they are playing state cricket and hopefully they can put their hands up for international selection in the Australian ID team,” Lyon added.
Cricket Australia recently confirmed the dates and hosts of the 2025 NCIC.
The tournament is expected to be played across six days, beginning on January 19 and lasting until January 2024. All the matches are expected at Marchant Park in Brisbane, with Queensland Cricket and Warehouse Cricket set to host.
Lyon was recently part of the Australia squad that won the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. He scalped nine wickets in seven innings for the Aussies, bowling at an economy of 2.70 and an average of 36.88.
Australia bounced back after losing the series opener to win a 3-1.
Following the tour’s conclusion, Lyon confirmed he was fully fit for Australia’s next Test series against Sri Lanka. It was earlier reported that Lyon was battling a sore hip.
The spinner, however, claimed he is ready for the challenging conditions in the Asian country. “All things going well, it is on the mend. I will be 100 per cent fit,” he said, as per The Sydney Morning Herald.
The upcoming Australia Tour of Sri Lanka will begin on January 29. The opening Test of the two-match series will be hosted at the Galle International Stadium.
