On Sunday, Lyon became the third Australian bowler after Glenn McGrath (563), and Shane Warne (708), to reach 500 wickets in Test history.
Nathan Lyon, who had 496 wickets going into the first Test match of the Pakistan series in Perth, acknowledged the influence of the legendary Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on his career, calling him “one of my biggest coaches.” They even later had a sweet conversation on X when Ashwin invited Lyon in response to Lyon’s remarks going viral on social media. After Lyon became the newest member of the esteemed 500-wicket club four days later, Ashwin saved his best response for his Australian adversary.
When a calf injury ended Lyon’s Ashes series earlier this year, he appeared poised to reach his 500-wicket milestone. Later, he suffered his first injury setback in his 12-year career, spending months on the sidelines. After dismissing Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Aamer Jamal in the opening innings of the match against Pakistan at the Optus Stadium, where he enjoys a stellar record, he swiftly reached 499 wickets. And then Lyon finally got his chance when he dismissed Faheem Ashraf on the fourth day after winning the lbw review, just when it appeared that he might be stuck at 499 wickets with the Australian quicks sweeping through Pakistan’s second innings.
After Glenn McGrath (563), and Shane Warne (708), Lyon is the third Australian bowler to reach 500 wickets in Test history. In the elusive list, which also includes Anil Kumble and Muthiah Muralidaran, he became the fourth spinner.
Shortly after the significant win, Ashwin made a bold statement for Lyon on social media by calling him a “GOAT.” “Only the second off spinner in history and the eighth bowler overall to pick 500 test wickets,” he posted. Congrats, buddy, @NathLyon421, #AUSvsPAK.
He told Channel Seven, “I’m very proud about it.” “I had a lot of time to consider ending my Ashes the way I did.It’s a rare group of folks, so I came back here to finish all my therapy. It’s a bloody huge milestone to take 500.
Regarding the historic wicket, he continued, “I guess a little bit of a trademark.” “Sliding on and striking the pad with the left hander. Concerned about the height, but the fielders assured me it was acceptable. I believed it might be striking the leg stump. Fortunately, there were three reds.
With 489 wickets, Ashwin is ranked second on the list of wicket-takers ahead of India’s two-Test series in South Africa and their five home matches against England beginning in late January.