Constant urge to get better has seen premier Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon go through a rigorous fitness training programme under the supervision of former New South Wales rugby representative Tom Carter. 

Lyon picked up 20 wickets in Australia's Ashes retaining campaign in UK and started off the home summer with a shield game for New South Wales. 

The 31-year-old, country's greatest ever off-spinner, is also working hard over his skills leading upto the Test series against Pakistan, starting November 21. 

"There's a lot of work that goes into it that a lot of people don't realise," Lyon told cricket.com.au. "It’s not just walking in seven steps, bowling off-breaks and getting out of there."

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"Today's cricket has definitely changed and you’re a professional athlete so you've got to take care of yourself and do all the work."

"I found myself going a little bit squarer in England, which you can afford to do on those types of wickets."

"But I've been working hard in the nets here, about coming back and making sure I'm doing everything I can to go up the back of the ball again, and go back to my strengths," he added. 

"It's coming out really well and I'm enjoying being back playing for New South Wales, although I feel pretty old in this group to be honest."

Pakistan is one side, Lyon's aware, that has played him well home and away. The Asian giants have always been among the best players of spin but seem to take their game to another level against the "GOAT". 

"Pakistan has probably been one side that's played me well, I find them extremely good players of spin." Lyon said. 

"They are very attacking players, they sweep a lot, they use their feet a lot, so it's going to be a great challenge out here in Australia."

"I'm always experimenting … I'm working on a couple of different things – sliders out of the front of the hand, not so much from an up-the-back-of-the-hand off-break. So I do have a few different variations, not just the one off-break."

However, Lyon is backing himself to finally turn the theme around. 

"But I'm a believer that if my stock ball is on top of its game, it will be good enough to get anyone out," he said. "I'm still learning about off-breaks. I'm trying to get better all the time, and just looking to bowl the perfect off-break."

"I'm always trying to study it, and how I can get better, and how I can be more effective in conditions all around the world."

(Inputs from cricket.com.au)