The Australian off-spinner has signed a deal to become the club's overseas player, putting pen-to-paper on a red-ball contract for the 2020 season

Hampshire Cricket are delighted to announce the signing of Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon.

The 31-year-old has signed a deal to become the club’s overseas player for next year’s County Championship, putting pen-to-paper on a red-ball contract for 2020.

Lyon – considered the best off-spinner to ever represent Australia – has a wealth of international experience, with 91 Test caps to his name since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2011, a game in which he removed Kumar Sangakkara which his first ever Test delivery.

The right-armer has been prolific with the ball throughout his international career, claiming 363 Test wickets to date and becoming just the sixth Australian to take 300 scalps – the nation’s second most successful spinner of all-time. He is Australia’s third highest Test wicket taker, sitting behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

The New South Wales-born bowler was a crucial component of Australia’s successful Ashes side this summer, taking 20 wickets in five Tests. Lyon has also been an important feature of Australia’s one-day squad in the last 18 months, featuring during this summer’s ICC Cricket World Cup as Aaron Finch’s side reached the competition’s semi-final stages.