Australia's greatest off-spinner Nathan Lyon has backed calls for Canberra to host Big Bash League cricket as the ACT government ramps up negotiations to secure Twenty20 fixtures next season.
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The government has restarted talks with Cricket Australia about finding suitable content for Manuka Oval after the capital was left off the 2017-18 international calendar.
The government had a four-year deal for the Australian team to play in Canberra every season until a historic first Test in 2018-19.
But a jammed schedule has forced officials to find another way to fill the Manuka Oval slot and it's understood a Big Bash game will likely be shifted to the capital when the draw is announced in the coming months.
The government has all but locked in a blockbuster six months of top-class sport after adding the Australian Diamonds netball team to the list on Friday.
The Diamonds will play South Africa at the AIS Arena on August 30 as part of a quad series and will kickstart four months of big-ticket events.
The Wallabies will play against Argentina on September 16 while Canberra Stadium will also host three rugby league World Cup games in October and November.
Lyon was in Canberra on Friday to work with aspiring spinners and to launch ticket sales for the Prime Minister's XI clash against England on February 2.
"[Manuka Oval] is a great place to play cricket and obviously I have a connection here," said Lyon, who was a former Manuka Oval curator.
"It sits very close to my heart and to play international cricket in Canberra, it's exceptional. Even the Big Bash, the crowds are so close and it's a full house.
"I think there should be more Big Bash games here, that's for sure. It's only growing the game of cricket and I'm all for that, hopefully we can twist Cricket Australia's arm to bring some more games here."
Lyon gave Canberra's rising spinners some tips at the Manuka Oval nets before racing across town to toss the coin at the ACT Brumbies clash against the Johannesburg Lions at Canberra Stadium.
He will travel to Young for a function before flying to England on Sunday to start a stint in the County competition as part of his preparations for the Ashes series at the end of the year.
The former Wests-UC captain earned a cult following last summer and has claimed 247 wickets in his 67 Tests for Australia.
He looms as a bowling attack linchpin for Australia's hopes of reclaiming the Ashes against England at the end of the year and will join Worcestershire after missing out on a spot in the Champions Trophy squad.
"I've had about five weeks off and I've got the itch to get out there bowling again," Lyon said.
"I'm looking forward to getting back to compete, and adapting to different conditions. They'll be different wickets to what I'm used to and they'll be challenging.
"I'm still trying to learn things about my game as well on and off the field. It can help you understand the way England players think about the way they play spin. If I can challenge myself, it will be handy."
Tickets went on sale for the Prime Minister's XI earlier this week, with the game to continue as a Twenty20 for the clash against England in February.
