Nathan Lyon knew about WC squad exclusion before Test series

Sydney: Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon Wednesday revealed he knew Cricket Australia's decision of keeping him out of the World Cup squad even before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India.

“I basically got told before the Test series started (he wouldn't be in the World Cup squad). So I didn't have to worry about it - I'd known for a while," Lyon was quoted as saying by espncricinfo.

Asked whether a bowler like him would have faced problems in One-Day Internationals (ODI) with only four fielders outside the circle, Lyon said: "I personally don't believe so, if you're bowling well enough and your skills are at the top of their level then it doesn't matter how many fielders are out."

The 27-year-old's brief stints in the Australian One-Day side produced decent results in Zimbabwe and UAE where he troubled the Pakistan batsmen with his flight and spin. He was however rested in the third ODI in Abu Dhabi and was dropped after that.

"I really enjoyed my time back in the one-day side, while it lasted, I played my last game then I got rested, and then went from being rested to dropped completely,” Lyon, who has picked up 11 wickets from eight ODIs, added.