These were the words of Young’s own ‘boy from the bush’ cricket sensation, Nathan Lyon, when he was interviewed before the Young and District Cricket Association’s presentation dinner on Saturday night.

Lyon was invited to be guest speaker at the presentation at the Empire Hotel which attracted the attention of local and regional print and television media as well as up to 90 cricket enthusiasts.

It’s been 12 months since the 25-year-old last set foot in town, and he said it was good to be back to see his parents, grandmother and mates.

“It’s a big honour to be asked to come and say a few words [at the presentation] – dad got me into cricket here at five-years-old,” Lyon said.

Following the presentation MC Steve Connelly interviewed the Australian spinner about various issues on the cricket front, including how the lad born and bred in Young got to where he is today, his biggest influences and his thoughts on Australia’s current status.

Lyon said his world has been turned upside down from playing backyard cricket with big brother, Brendan to being the greenkeeper in Canberra and playing with the ACT Comets, to moving to South Australia for his big break.

“My biggest influences are my family, my older brother – the role should be reversed because he is so passionate about cricket,” Lyon said.

When asked if he called Brendan after every game, Lyon said, “before I go on the field, I’m already on the phone to Brendan!”

Lyon also said his mate, Mike Hussey, is one of his major role models.

He recalled how “unbelievable” it was playing with Hussey and Ricky Ponting.

“Ponting and Hussey are the best in the world for a reason – they were the first ones on the training field and the last ones to leave,” Lyon said.

Lyon’s visit to Young comes off the back of an unsuccessful tour of India.

“Cricket is a funny game – it could go anyway,” he said, “we learnt a different amount of things – it’s (India) a tough place to play because of the cricket conditions and they’re used to it,” he said.

“It was challenging but good fun – I learnt a lot about my game.”

Lyon will now enjoy a short break before he joins team mates in preparation for the upcoming Ashes Series in November.

A series, he says, Australia was heading in the right direction towards and that the prospect of back to back Ashes was very good.

“It’s about time the Ashes came back home,” a confident Lyon said.

Despite the homegrown off spinner deciding not to try his luck in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in the immediate future, it is something he may consider later on.

While these plans maybe on hold, the right-handed batsman is still making headlines across the country after inking a contract with Cricket Australia.

This comes just months after it was announced that Lyon would take over as the voice of the Australian Cricket team’s official song, handed to him by former captain Hussey himself.

“I’m very happy to regain the contract – it shows they have a lot of faith in me,” he said, “I had my fingers crossed.”

“[And] I’m very honoured and privileged to be asked to sing the team song – hopefully we’ll sing it after the Ashes,” Lyon said.

Every aspiring cricketer would be curious to know just who Lyon’s toughest batting opponent has been.

His answer was Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulka who is widely acknowledged as the greatest batsman in One Day Internationals and second only to Sir Donald Bradman in the all time greatest list in Test cricket.

Lyon’s last words for aspiring local junior cricketers, when speaking with The Witness on Saturday, were “enjoy it and always play for fun”.

Trophy winners of the 2012/13 Young District Cricket Association presentation night are as follows:

WS and BR Hurcum: Most improved Under 16 player - Mitch Cameron. 

Dallas Kahlefeldt Memorial Trophy Best Under 16 player - Jonte Powderly.

Delta Agri Business Under 18 Player of the Year – Ben Broderick.

Eastlake Family Trophy: Best Under 21 player – Mick Ashton.

Ray Bourke Trophy, catching – Ben Allen (nine catches).

Midge Hurcum Memorial Trophy, wicket keeping – Drew Morris (12 dismissals).

John Hamblin and Neil Slater Trophy, bowling – Kyle McGovern (19 wickets at an average of 9.00).

Sid Hall Trophy, batting – Josh Platt (738 runs at an average of 123.00).

Kay McDonald Trophies: Most Improved – Nithin Shetty.

Thompsons Rural Supplies Trophy: All Rounder – Josh Platt (738 runs at an average of 123.00 and 14 wickets at an average of 6.10).

Umpires Award: Most valuable rep player – Ben Allen.

Vic Perkins Trophy: Best All Rounder, all grades, plus rep – Josh Platt.

Ray Bourke Medal: Best and Fairest Player – Josh Platt.

B Grade player of the grand final – Bruce Grey.

Empire Cup B Grade winners 11/12 – Boorowa.

A Grade player of the grand final – Kurt Schofield and Kris Scelly.

Empire Cup A Grade winners 11/12 – Commercial Coyotes.

Jake Miller Shield – Services Club Blues.

KFC Twenty20 Big Bash winners – Services Club Blues.

McGrath Foundation Charity Shield – Presidents XI.

More photos to appear in a later edition.