Lyon 'something pretty special': KP

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen believes Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon is "something pretty special", with the ace tweaker continuing his outstanding form so far in this Magellan Ashes campaign.

Lyon has taken 11 wickets in the first two Tests of the series and looks a vastly improved bowler from the man who flirted with the selectors' axe last summer, following a lean tour of Sri Lanka.

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The offie has collected 38 wickets in his past five Tests – the best sequence of his career – and also claimed a Test-best 8-50 against India in March. Currently, he sits level with India off-spinner Ravi Ashwin in top spot with 55 Test wickets for the calendar year.

The 30-year-old caused headlines in the lead-up to the first Test when he suggested the Australians could "end some (England players') careers", but he has backed up the barbs with two superb displays, particularly against England's left-hander-heavy line-up.

"Lyon, with what he's doing to all the left-handers, he's gone to a new level," Pietersen told cricket.com.au. "His finger spin is something pretty special."

Pietersen, who is with Nine's Wide World of Sports team for the first three Tests before joining Melbourne Stars for their opening clash against the Heat in Brisbane on December 20, said Lyon's remarkable form had turned heads.

"He's surprised everyone. One of the commentators said, 'I want to go and ask him how come he's become so good'," he said. "His control, his spin, is just phenomenal, it really is.

"I'm super impressed with what he's done. The thing is, he talked the talk before the series. He must've known how well he was bowling because he's walking the walk, and England haven't helped themselves – they've picked six or seven left-handers, (which is) stupidity."

Lyon is just 12 wickets away from moving past Craig McDermott (291 Test wickets) into sixth spot on Australia's all-time wicket-takers list, with Brett Lee (310) and Mitchell Johnson (313) also in his sights.

Test legend Ricky Ponting this week told cricket.com.au that the spinner, whose debut he played in back in August 2011, "could end up with 400 wickets-plus".

"Nathan's confidence has gone through the roof and it's grown tenfold since the tour of Sri Lanka last year when he lost all confidence," Ponting said.

"To be able to bounce back from that and have the year that he's had so far says a lot about him and the confidence the captain has in him.

"I've watched him for a long time, I've played with him for a few years, the way he's releasing the ball now is just absolutely superb."

2017-18 International Fixtures

Magellan Ashes Series

Australia Test squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Jackson Bird.

England Test squad: Joe Root (c), James Anderson (vc), Moeen Ali, Jonny Bairstow, Jake Ball, Gary Ballance, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Mason Crane, Tom Curran, Ben Foakes, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ben Stokes, Mark Stoneman, James Vince, Chris Woakes.

First Test Australia won by 10 wickets. Scorecard

Second Test Australia won by 120 runs (Day-Night). Scorecard

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Tickets

Fifth ODI Perth Stadium, January 28. Tickets

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Tickets

Gillette T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 14

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21