Australian spin bowler Nathan Lyon says working with Muttiah Muralitharan can only make him a better bowler.

The Sri Lankan great has been appointed as a coaching consultant by Australia ahead of the Test and limited-over series against Pakistan in October.

Muralitharan spent time with Lyon in Colombo working on a bowling variation that would turn in the opposite direction to his stock delivery.

It’s believed the delivery is similar to the so-called carrom ball which is delivered with a snapping of the middle finger and thumb.

The 26-year-old plans to try out the delivery when he lines up for Australia A in a tour match against India A starting in Brisbane on Sunday.

Lyon says while his time in Sri Lanka had been hugely beneficial, the new delivery is still a work in progress and isn’t solely the result of spending time under Muralitharan’s tutelage.

“It wasn’t like I rocked into Colombo, worked with Murali and suddenly I could bowl a new ball,” Lyon said.

“I’ve been working with John Davison (Australian spin bowling coach) for a while now just to nut out a few different variations.”

Muralitharan will continue to work with Lyon up to and throughout the tour against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

It’s a situation the NSW offspinner couldn’t be happier with.

“To have Murali on board for the UAE is fantastic,” he said.

“I learnt some things over there and it’s awesome to be around one of the greats of the game.”