Hussey says Lyon’s ‘great character’ behind becoming Oz’s next ‘song leader’

Sydney: Retired Australian Test batsman Michael Hussey has claimed off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s great character is one of the major reason that persuaded him to hand over the sacrosanct duties of leading the team song to the young spinner.

Lyon follows some of the most esteemed names in Australian cricket history in taking up the honour, held in descending order by Hussey, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, David Boon, Allan Border and Rod Marsh, News.com.au reports. Hussey and Lyon led the song together on Sunday at the SCG after Australia’s five-wicket victory sealed a 3-0 sweep against Sri Lanka, but the 25-year-old will be the sole warden of the responsibility from next month’s tour of India. Hussey said he passed the duties of leading the team song to Lyon because of his great character, adding that the offie players the game with all the right reasons and respects the baggy green. The veteran said Lyon deserves to lead the team song since he has all the required qualities in him for the job. Hussey said other players are good too but Lyon’s exceptional character makes him the perfect person to lead the team song. Lyon, a former Adelaide Oval curator who worked on the ground as England sang their team song after thumping Australia in 2010, will be hoping to return serve in the back-to-back Ashes series starting in July and finishing at the SCG this time next year. ANI