JL's advice to Lyon: don't try too hard

Justin Langer says the key to Nathan Lyon achieving one-day success is simple: don't try too hard.

Lyon earned man-of-the-match honours in Australia's ODI tri-series opener against West Indies in Guyana, grabbing three wickets as the hosts were rolled for just 116.

Australia's most prolific Test offspinner has regularly declared his desire to play all three formats.

Selectors have been unsure. Since 2012, Lyon has played 11 ODIs spread across six series.

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Langer, who is currently coaching Australia while Darren Lehmann takes a break, delivered a simple message prior to Lyon's latest chance in the canary yellow.

"I used the example of Michael Slater," Langer said.

"He was such a dominant Test batsman but when he got the opportunity to play one-day cricket sometimes he was trying so hard, it wasn't as easy as Test cricket.

"It's the same as Nathan Lyon. He's such a good bowler, he's got great basics and he should take confidence from Test cricket.

"As long as he doesn't try too hard and try to do anything too different, he will excel."

Lyon is set to bowl in tandem with young legspinner Adam Zampa once more in Georgetown, where Australia face South Africa in a clash that starts at 3am AEST on Wednesday.

However, one of tweakers is likely to be dropped when the tri-series shifts to a smaller ground in St Kitts.

"It'll be really hard," Langer said of potentially omitting either Lyon or Zampa, who also claimed three wickets against West Indies.

"Tough selections are good. It's really hard on the people that miss out.

"But it's something we pride ourselves on in Australian cricket, having red-hot competition, and we've got that at the moment."

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Langer was impressed with Zampa's control on a spin-friendly pitch.

"He's quite calm. He's a different sort of cat but he's very competitive and his control is excellent," Langer said.

Australia and South Africa are bracing for another spin test in Guyana, where legspinner Imran Tahir looms as the man most capable of routing Steve Smith's side.

"It's definitely going to be spin friendly so it's going to be a great challenges for us spin bowlers but also our batters," Lyon said.