Hobart Hurricanes blown away by Nathan Lyon and Sydney Sixers

Memo Australian selectors: Spinner Nathan Lyon can play the shorter forms of cricket.

Lyon sent a timely message to chairman of selectors Rod Marsh and the rest of his panel after claiming a five-wicket haul as the Sydney Sixers blew aside the Hobart Hurricanes in their Big Bash League clash at the SCG this afternoon.

Set 187 to win, the Hurricanes were never in the hunt after losing three wickets in the first 13 balls of their innings.

Lyon claimed two scalps in the opening over – captain Tim Paine and Sri Lankan recruit Kumar Sangakkara for ducks in consecutive balls – and finished with 5-23 from 3.5 overs as the Hurricanes were dismissed for just 91.

It was their lowest ever score in BBL history while the 95-run victory was the Sixers’ great, eclipsing their 87-run triumph over the Adelaide Strikers in last season’s semi finals.

Remarkably, George Bailey was the only Hurricanes batsman to pass double figures and he finished unbeaten on 62 from 45 balls.

Amazingly, extras was the next highest score of their innings on seven.

The tale of woe of the Hurricanes batting line-up reads almost like a mobile phone number – 0, 1, 0, 4, 1, 2, 4, 1, 4, 5.

Lyon’s figures are the second best in BBL history and should ensure his name is heavily discussed when it’s time for selectors to pick Australia’s squad for the one-day and Twenty20 internationals against India next month.

Lyon, Australia’s most successful off-spinner in Test cricket, hasn’t played an ODI since October 2014 and never a T20 international.

The Sixers total of 7-186 – their highest ever BBL score – was set up by a brilliant 72 from veteran Brad Haddin and a quick-fire 41 from Jordan Silk.

Haddin hit eight boundaries and consecutive sixes off Darren Sammy before he was dismissed attempting a third while Silk was run out in the final over.