Nathan Lyon's new mystery ball

What became something an annual tradition for the best part of 15 years - Shane Warne’s proclamation of a new mystery ball - has now been reassigned to current Test tweaker Nathan Lyon.

Lyon has been sharing his time between his new role as a dad and the National Cricket Centre (NCC) in Brisbane, where he’s been spending two days a week fine-tuning his game and as a mentor to the next generation of spin bowlers.

Working alongside personal spin coach John Davison, Lyon says he’s been “trying to come up with a mystery ball to go the other way” to his stock delivery.

The right-arm off-spinner already has one mystery ball, nicknamed ‘Jeff’, that was developed on the 2012 tour of the Caribbean, and Lyon says one is better than two.

“Yeah I do [already have a mystery ball], but I want another one,” he said.

“Trying to make ‘Jeff’s’ twin brother.”

Asked whether ‘Jeff’s’ twin has a name, Lyon said: “Haven’t thought of one yet.”

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Spin king Warne was said to have up to six or seven mystery deliveries at one point, sporting names like ‘the zooter’, ‘the shooter’ or ‘the slider’ all an act to put doubt in a waiting batsman’s mind.

Lyon worked with Warne in Cape Town during the third Test of the tour of South Africa, planning against the Proteas batsmen before the gripping series finale.

“Shane Warne is the king. The way he talks to you tactically is fantastic,” said Lyon.

“He really gives you a good understanding of spin bowling and where you need to take it to.

“I really enjoyed talking cricket, especially spin bowling, with Shane.”

Now a veteran off 33 Tests, Lyon is the most prolific Australian spin bowler since Warne retired in 2007, and has been passing on the lessons he’s learned from Warne and likes of Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey and Michael Clarke to the country’s next stock of spin bowlers.

“[I’m] really enjoying going up there and spending some time with some really exciting up-and-coming spin bowlers from all around Australia,” Lyon said.

“It was good to see them and get to know a couple of them closer.

“We all know spin bowlers take a little bit longer to mature in their art, so if I can help someone, either tactically or technically in their game, I’m more than happy to.”

Despite making his name as T20 bowler for the South Australian Redbacks, Lyon is now considered a Test specialist, but that hasn’t stopped him watching his team-mates play in the Indian Premier League.

More than 20 Australians feature in this year’s edition of the IPL, and Lyon says mixing with cricketers from other countries is one of the biggest benefits of playing international cricket, even if they’re friend one day and foe the next.

“That’s the best thing about playing professional cricket around the world, you get to make friends all around the world and compete against each other at the highest level, and then you leave everything on the field,” said Lyon.

“Davey [Warner] and Dale [Steyn], we know they’re both really great guys and they get along really well.

“It’s really great to see them playing alongside each other and that’s where you learn on off other players.

“So if you have the opportunity to play with the best players in the world I’m all for it.”