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- Made his Test debut for Australia in 2011
- 37-year-old has taken 553 Test wickets
Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has rejected speculation he is planning to retire from Test cricket – despite passing on his coveted role as the team’s designated songmaster in the sheds following a victory.
Lyon, 37, scribbled a note to wicketkeeper Alex Carey one night during the recent first Test in Barbados against the West Indies saying that it was his time to assume the position.
Previous stars to have held the honour include Ian Healy, Allan Border, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer and Mike Hussey.
‘There’s no talk about me retiring or even thoughts coming in my head,’ Lyon told reporters.
‘It’s more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it onto someone who I look at and absolutely love and the way he goes about it on and off the field.
‘And I feel like Alex is the perfect candidate. I feel like I’ve run my race with it, and it’s time for someone else to put their touch on.’
Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon (pictured with wife Emma) has rejected speculation he is planning to retire from Test cricket – despite passing on his role as the team’s designated songmaster
Lyon scribbled a note to wicketkeeper Alex Carey during the recent first Test in Barbados against the West Indies to let him know he now has the coveted role
Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 versus Sri Lanka – and now has 553 wickets to his name
The role involves leading the team in a rendition of the song Under the Southern Cross I Stand, which famously finishes with the line, ‘Australia, you f**king beauty!’
Lyon – who turns 38 a day before the first Ashes Test in Perth on November 21 – went onto reiterate his future plans in the traditional form of the game.
They include winning a series in India and then on English soil.
The man affectionately known as ‘Garry’ is also closing in on Glenn McGrath’s feat of 563 Test wickets – but Shane Warne’s record of 708 is safe.
‘Warney’s a long way away. In my eyes, he’s the greatest to ever play the game,’ Lyon said.
‘I’m just lucky to be part of a pretty special cricket team at the moment.
‘We are on our way to becoming a great cricket team… but we are not there yet.’
Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 versus Sri Lanka in Galle, taking a wicket with his first ball.
The second Test against the West Indies begins on July 4 at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada.
Australia needs only a draw across either of the final two Tests to retain the Frank Worrell Trophy, held by the visitors for more than three decades.
