'Hunted' Lyon reveals battle to remain number-one spinner in Oz team

Australian bowler Nathan Lyon has said that he is 'hunted' because of his number-one spinner role and will always be under pressure to keep his place.

According to News.com.au, Lyon ran through England's middle order with 4-42 on a good first day of the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street in Durham, in which the hosts had struggled to 9-238 at stumps.

Stating that he is under pressure and is the 'hunted' for being the number one spinner over the last couple of years, Lyon, however said that the fact motivates him to keep getting better and better, adding that he wants to compete with the best in the world at his craft.

But, Lyon, who was dropped during the tour of India earlier this year and sensationally left out for the first two Tests of this series for 19-year-old spinner Ashton Agar, also said that he still has a long way to go for which he needs to keep working hard to achieve that goal.

According to Lyon, he was not disappointed and did not lose confidence even after he was left out in favour of the newcomer Agar, adding that he knew what he had to do to keep putting his hand up for selection.

Lyon, who has been a Test cricketer for two years, also said that he is happy with the way he is bowling at the moment, adding that he needed to continue his current form and keep contributing to the Australian team.

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old bowler admitted that he felt like he was debuting again in Manchester in the Ashes when he was recalled to the side for the third Test this time at Old Trafford, adding that although he was very nervous before playing in his first Ashes series.

However, Lyon said that it is a dream come true for an Australian child kid growing up to tour England and play in an Ashes series, adding that even though he was nervous during his debut, he knew what his role was and what he had to do to help his team.