Nathan Lyon’s wife, Emma Lyon, opened up on her reaction to her husband’s 500-wicket milestone moment and reckoned that she was more nervous about her husband making a comeback after an injury lay-off than him reaching the landmark.
Lyon was ruled out of Ashes 2023 earlier this year after suffering a calf injury midway through the series. The off-spinner suffered a setback during the second Test at Lord’s, which was interestingly his 100th consecutive Test match for Australia. The injury took place when Lyon was fielding and he felt immediate discomfort in his calf while chasing the ball. The spinner was sidelined from Australia’s Test side as he went on to miss the World Test Championship final against India.
It was a highly anticipated return of Australia’s spin-spearhead. Lyon’s wicket tally was at 496 when he suffered a calf injury and after the conclusion of Australia’s 1st Test match against Pakistan, Lyon has 501 wickets in his kitty and is the third-leading wicket-taker in Tests for Australia.
Lyon became only the 8th bowler in Test cricket’s history to take 500 Test wickets. He is the 3rd Australian and only the 4th spinner to have achieved this feat, a list that includes the likes of Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble.
Speaking to 7 cricket, Emma said that there’s more relief that Lyon’s fitness was good during the match and reckons the off-spinner will enjoy the moment now for sure.
“I think there’s been a bit more nervousness around this game about the rehab, about the calf, about the body. Will it all hold up and will be able to perform the way he always has? So I think it’s just more relief more than anything. But I think he’ll celebrate now for sure,” Emma said on 7 cricket.
Lyon not only completed 500 Test wickets, but also guided Australia to a massive 360-run win over Pakistan. With this, Australia go 1-0 up in the three-match Test series.
