He might have NSW duties to focus on and one eye on the looming Ashes series, but taking time out to speak to junior cricketers who have started out like him was special for Nathan Lyon.
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The off-spinner and Australian great was recently part of the a virtual edition of the NSW Country Blitz, meeting with school students and aspiring stars all around the state.
Dubbo and the Far West were among those locations, with Lyon teaming up with fellow Western Zone junior Emma Hughes in a session with kids on September 15.
Lyon, who played his junior cricket in Young, also got the chance to have online seminars with kids from he Greater Hunter, Northern NSW, Riverina and Southern NSW/ACT/Illawarra regions.
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In the online sessions Lyon focussed on his cricket journey from country ovals to the hallowed turf of Lords and the SCG, how he aims to improve his life every day and tips on training harder than what the game is.
"The best thing that I try and do for myself is make sure each and every morning I get up to get better," Lyon said during one session.
"That's either getting better as a cricketer - bat, bowl, field, whatever it may be - but also as a person as well. And as a dad.
"I want to be the best dad and the person I can be so there's always room for improvement in my eyes."
Lyon also encouraged the young players to look at the positives that come from beginning their cricket careers in the country, rather than some perceived negatives.
He sighted the ability for many youngsters in regional areas to be able to play regularly on turf wickets ahead of their city-based competitors as just one example of an advantage he experienced.
While there was plenty of inspiration and wise words for western area juniors to take on, uncertainty remains around the season in the region.
No dates are yet to be locked in for seniors or juniors in Dubbo as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact plans.
