by: Atika Mehboob TN Sport Pakistan:
On Sunday, Australia not only secured a dominating 360-run victory over Pakistan, but veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon also achieved a remarkable milestone. Lyon has etched his name in the annals of Test cricket by reaching 500 wickets in the elite format of the game. What makes this feat even more impressive is that he accomplished it without bowling a single no-ball in his entire Test career.
“It’s something I’m very proud of,” Lyon said after the match. “I don’t think it has hit me yet. But there’s obviously been a lot of hard work that has gone into this journey. I’ve had more bad days than good days, but to be out there in the middle after recovering from a calf injury with a special group of people, it’s pretty special to be able to take 500 wickets in my first Test back.”
With this achievement, Lyon joins the ranks of Australia’s cricket legends Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) in the exclusive 500 club. He becomes the fourth spinner to achieve this milestone, joining Muthiah Muralidaran and Anil Kumble.
Lyon made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Galle in 2011 and had an immediate impact by claiming a wicket with his first ball, dismissing Kumar Sangakkara caught at slip. Although it took him a couple of years to become a permanent fixture in the side, Lyon’s success stabilized the spinner’s position in the Test squad after the retirement of Warne.
Nathan Lyon had 496 wickets to his name before an injury ruled him out during the Ashes earlier this year. However, the magical spinner bounced back by taking 5 wickets against Pakistan, joining the elite and unique club of 500 Test wickets.
