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Lyon dismissed seven (3+4) Sri Lankan batters in the first Test and helped Australia secure a win by a record margin of an innings and 242 runs in Galle.
Nathan Lyon shares Australia’s end goal in Test cricket. (Picture Credit: AP)
Legendary spinner Nathan Lyon played a big role in Australia’s record-breaking win over Sri Lanka in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series played at Galle International Stadium last week. The 37-year-old cricketer from New South Wales picked up three wickets for 57 runs in the first innings and finished with figures of 4 for 78 in the second to help Australia hammer Sri Lanka by an innings and 242-run margin. Prior to that, Lyon helped Australia win a Test series against India at home with the scoreline of 3-1.
The first Test series win over India in 10 years helped Australia qualify for the second World Test Championship (WTC) final in a row, where Pat Cummins’ men will now face South Africa at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.
Despite Australia’s dominance in the five-day format of the game in the recent past, Lyon believes the Baggy Greens still have a long way to go to achieve ‘greatness’ as a team.
“We want to become a great Australian team. We’re on that journey; we’re not there yet. That’s our end goal,” Lyon was quoted as saying by ICC ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
“Part of that journey is making sure that when we close the window, we nail it shut. It’s all about being ruthless and doing our best thing for long periods of time,” he added.
According to Lyon, who is the highest wicket-taker in WTC with 204 scalps to his name, winning Test series in India (which Australia did in 2004) and Ashes in England (something Australia last achieved in 2001) are key milestones his side is yet to achieve.
“Well, there are a few things; we haven’t won in India. We’ve retained the last two Ashes (via drawn series), away. So, there’s a few things that, for me, this is only me and my thoughts as well. But we’ve got some great players within that change room. There’s no point hiding behind that; you look at Smithy (Steve Smith) bringing up 10,000 (runs).”
“You’ve got Starcy (Mitchell Starc) in my eyes, who’s got around the corner from Test matches. So, there are great players, but I feel like we are on the journey to become a great Australian team. And I think that’s an incredible journey to be a part of it,” he added.
