Last Updated on 12 months by Charbel Coorey
Cricket News: Reactions to Nathan Lyon taking his 500th Test wicket | Fans react to Nathan Lyon becoming the third Australian to take 500 Test wickets
Australia thumped Pakistan by 360 runs on the fourth day of the West Test at Perth. Mitchell Marsh won the man of the match award in his home state after David Warner set the game up with his 164 on day one.
But, the fourth day belonged to Nathan Lyon. The offspinner became the third Australian – and eighth bowler overall – to take 500 Test wickets after pinning Faheem Ashraf LBW. He joins Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in elite company, which is quite the achievement after making his Test debut in 2011 with just five First Class matches under his belt and a role as curator at the Adelaide Oval.
His career began in the most memorable of circumstances, picking up the wicket of the great Kumar Sangakkara off his very first ball. 499 wickets later, there is to be no doubt over the importance and significance of Lyon in Australia’s attack, especially considering how greatly the team missed his services in the final three-and-a-half Tests of the 2023 Ashes series.
Lyon’s value goes beyond just his sheer numbers. Although 501 Test wickets at a tick under 31 is a remarkable record for a conventional offspinner from Australia, he held up an end time and time again, allowing Australia’s superb pace attack to do their thing without worrying about the spinner being ineffective.
His tag as the GOAT of Australian offspinners is well justified. Australia’s next-most prolific offspinner is Hugh Trumble, way behind on 141 wickets. Ashley Mallett (132), Bruce Yardley (126) and Ian Johnson (109) are next. Simply superb.
Fans and players react to Nathan Lyon picking up his 500th Test wicket
“Something I’m very proud about,” said Lyon to Channel 7 after the match. “Personally, to take 500 is a bloody big milestone.”
Here are some of the reactions from fans and players to Lyon’s magnificent achievement. India’s legendary offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin led the messages of congratulations.
