Lyon eyes T20 World Cup berth for Australia

Nathan Lyon is aiming to become Australia's first-choice spinner for the national T20 team with his eyes firmly set on next year's 20-over World Cup on home soil.

Lyon has shed his Test-specialist tag under Justin Langer's coaching regime to win his way back into the national one-day side and played an integral role in Australia's ODI World Cup campaign that ended in semi-final defeat to eventual champions England in July.

And while the 31-year-old hopes to still be a part of Australia's 50-over set-up come the next ODI World Cup in India in 2023, winning the T20 tournament, the one global tournament that has previously eluded Australia, is high on his list of priorities.

"I want to play every format for Australia and every chance I get I want to put my hand up for selection," Lyon told cricket.com.au.

"I just need to make sure I'm bowling and fielding well and keep improving my batting.

"If I can do that and keep putting my hand up for selection, who knows where it might go.

"I'm still learning the game in all areas and if given the opportunity to play in the T20 World Cup it would be a dream."

The Australian men's team's first engagement this summer is back-to-back three-game Gillette T20 series against Sri Lanka and the top-ranked Pakistan side.

The Aussies first meet Sri Lanka in matches at Adelaide (October 27), the Gabba (October 30) and the MCG (November 1) before the shortest format rolls on with games against Pakistan in Sydney (November 3), Canberra (November 5) and at the Perth Stadium (November 8).

With that T20 World Cup in 12 months' time, fans could expect a strong Australian side to turn out for those matches, with Lyon firmly in the mix to add to his two T20 international caps.

"It's one of those where you've got to make sure no matter what cricket you're playing, you're doing it well," Lyon said of his chances of selection.

"My hand is definitely up for selection for the T20 World Cup and these upcoming internationals."

Lyon's played 40 career T20s, most of them with the Sydney Sixers in the KFC BBL where he has taken 34 wickets in 23 games and boasts a brilliant strike rate of 15.32 and economy of 6.72.

"I really enjoy T20s, I look at myself as quite an attacking spinner anyway," Lyon said of his approach to the game.

"It's more a mindset of understanding the game and where guys are trying to hit you, and who's bowling at the other end, rather than me trying to bowl my best 24 balls.

"There's a bit more in it about a mindset of bowling in a partnership and who I'm up against."

Australia's best finish in the T20 World Cup was runners-up in the 2010 tournament in the Caribbean against England and falling short in the ODI tournament this year is going to provide the Australians plenty of motivation.

"It's unfortunate we didn't play our best cricket in the semi-final," Lyon said.

"But I really enjoyed the World Cup experience, it was a rollercoaster, and it was a great group to be part of.

"I'm definitely not ruling out the 2023 World Cup in India, they're always great wickets to play on over there."