Offspinner becomes the third Australian behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to take 500 Test wickets, and the eighth man overall
ESPNcricinfo staff17-Dec-2023Nathan Lyon has become the eighth bowler, and third Australian, to reach 500 Tests wickets during Australia’s opening Test against Pakistan in Perth, with his captain Pat Cummins describing him as the most important cog in the attack.Lyon had been stalled on 496 wickets after his Ashes-ending calf injury earlier this year, but continued his fine record at the Optus Stadium. He moved to 499 wickets in Pakistan’s first innings when he claimed Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq and Aamer Jamal.For a little while it appeared he may run out of wickets as Australia’s quicks ran through Pakistan’s second innings, but in his seventh over he won an lbw decision against Ashraf via the DRS.”It’s something I’m very proud about,” Lyon said after the match. “I don’t think it’s probably hit me yet. But there’s obviously been a lot of hard work go into the journey and I’ve had a lot more bad days and good days but to be out there in the middle of back after doing a calf with a special group of people, it’s pretty special to be able to take 500 in my first Test back.”I was quietly confident that it would hit leg. Reviews you’re always nervous no matter what. So all in all pretty happy.”Lyon joined Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) as Australia players in the 500 club while he is the fourth spinner in the list which also includes Muthiah Muralidaran and Anil Kumble.”I still pinch myself when I see my name next to those guys,” Lyon told Channel Seven. “I’m not even next below those guys in my eyes. Shane Warne is the greatest to ever play this game in my opinion and Glenn McGrath’s record speaks volumes. To edge closer to those guys, it’s something I’m proud of.”Cummins was thrilled to have Lyon back in his side after missing him for the final three Tests of the Ashes series, describing him as the most important member of Australia’s vaunted four-man attack.”I don’t think it’s any secret that he’s probably the most important cog in our bowling line-up,” Cummins said after the match. “Yeah, this game is probably a little bit different. But most games where he’s bowling 30 overs a day, basically just put him down one end and he’s not going to go for many runs. He’s going to take a few wickets and then us quick bowlers can just rotate through the other end. No doubt he was missed over there in England for sure. As a captain, it makes it a lot easier knowing that bloke who has played 100-odd Test matches that knows his craft and can bowl pretty much in any conditions, you just let him get to work so it’s great having him back. Yeah, another 500 to go.”Lyon made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2011 and claimed a wicket with his first ball when he had Kumar Sangakkara caught at slip. Although it took him a couple of years to become a permanent fixture in the side, his success ended a revolving door of spinners in the Test side following Warne’s retirement.The next closest to joining the group on 500 wickets is fellow offspinner R Ashwin who currently sits on 489 ahead of India’s two-Test series in South Africa and five matches at home against England from late January.”We’ve gone head-to-head many, many times in different conditions around the world,” Lyon said before the Perth Test. “I’ve got nothing but respect for Ashwin and the way he’s gone about it. I’ve definitely learnt off him. There’s an opportunity to learn off the people you play against and without knowing it, he’s probably been one of my biggest coaches in a way.”It’s pretty amazing to see that we’re both creeping up to that 500 mark and we’ll see where we end up and hopefully at the end of our careers we’ll be able to sit down and have a nice feed and beer and talk about it.”
