Canberra duo Jono Dean (left) and Ben Oakley are looking to lift the Strikers in the Big Bash League. Source: Mike Burton / News Limited
STRIKERS recruit Jono Dean says Nathan Lyon's rags-to-riches tale has lit a flamepath for other international hopefuls in Canberra's grade cricket scene.
Dean, 29, caught coach the cricket world's attention after smashing 51 off 40 balls when opening the batting for a Prime Minister's XI side against the West Indies in January.
The unknown club cricketer clubbed Tino Best to all corners of Manuka Oval, despite the Windies paceman nudging 150km/h on the speed gun.
His 35-ball half-century prompted captain Ricky Ponting to predict "there will probably be a few people on the phone to him over the next few days".
West Indies opener Kieron Powell later dubbed Dean "a right-handed David Warner". "He seems a Big Bash player, I don't understand why he hasn't got a run yet. If he keeps doing that I'm sure he'll get one soon,'' Powell said.
After spending last summer's Big Bash League on the Melbourne Renegades' supplementary list, Dean was signed as a full squad member of Berry's 2013/14 unit.
He said off-spinner Lyon's rise from Canberra club cricketer and Strikers no-name under Berry to Australian Ashes winner this week was a lesson in seizing chances.
"Mate it's inspiring, seeing what Lyonsy did, coming from Canberra, down here (Adelaide) and now playing a vital role for Australia," Dean said.
"It's definitely inspiring for kids and guys like me out there.
"I managed to score some runs in the right place a the right time. In the West Indies PM's XI I managed to score a few and managed to speak to Chuck (Berry) shortly after that, and that's how the opportunity came about.
"I'm just happy to get the opportunity. If that comes about then I'll do my best. If it comes or if it doesn't, I'll be supporting the Adelaide Strikers and hopefully the boys can do well."
Dean was signed shortly before another Canberra grade cricket product, pace bowler Ben Oakley - who roomed with Lyon before he became an international player.
"I lived with Nate for a couple of years, we played a lot of T20 cricket back in the day," Oakley said.
"He congratulated me when I first got signed and said 'shame I've left now', but that's the way it goes and hopefully I get a chance to have a go against him."
Adelaide opens its Big Bash season against Hobart at Blundstone Arena on Sunday. It's first home game is against Perth on New Year's Eve.
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