Nathan Lyon Reveals How His Family Reacted When He Made His Test Debut For Australia
Updated - 16 Jan 2021, 05:12 PM
Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon has had a fairytale journey; from a member of the ground-staff team at the Adelaide Oval to picking a five-wicket haul on Test debut against Sri Lanka – including the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara on his first ball – to being nicknamed the ‘GOAT’. And finally, nowhere near the end yet, Lyon plays his 100th Test for Australia in the ongoing match against India at the Gabba.
Speaking about his journey from a pitch curator to donning the Baggy Green for the 100th time, Nathan Lyon recalled the reaction of his family members when he told them about his debut. Lyon’s father, Steven, jokingly said that at least he will play one game for his country and hung up. The off-spinner says that his dad and family were too emotional to talk.
“I called Mum and Dad, I think Dad was out the back of Temora (NSW town) somewhere working. I said, ‘Dad, you won’t believe this,’ and he said, ‘What?’ I said, ‘I’m making my debut.’ He goes, ‘That’s all right, at least you’ll play one game,’ and he hung up,” Nathan Lyon told Fox Cricket.
“I’ve since found out that he was probably too emotional to talk. Then I called my brother, and he was speechless. Mum started crying… I called my grandmother and she started crying.”
Nathan Lyon dismisses Rohit Sharma as his 397th scalp
Apart from playing his 100th Test, Lyon, against India in Brisbane could also reach 400 Test wickets. He started the game with 396 scalps, Rohit Sharma’s wicket on Day 2 increases the tally.
Australia was bowled out for 369 by lunch on day 2. In reply, Pat Cummins got rid of Shubman Gill early on. However, the hosts would sleep well knowing that Rohit Sharma is back in the dressing room. On 44, the opener was looking set for a big score after having seen off the fast bowlers.
In order to attack against the off-spinner, Rohit skipped down to loft Lyon. However, Lyon, with almost a decade long experience, watching Rohit charge down, straightened his line as the batsman couldn’t connect well and Mitchell Starc took the catch.
Rain poured down and the third session was washed out with India at the score of 62/2, trailing by 307 more runs. Australia should win the match if they have to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, otherwise, India would retain it – Nathan Lyon will have an important role to play with the ball as the pitch wears down.
Fondly known as the ‘GOAT’, Lyon is 3 away from 400 wickets; he is Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker currently, behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
Also Read: Heartbroken To Hear About The Demise Of Hardik And Krunal’s Dad: Virat Kohli
Tagged:
India Nathan Lyon Rohit Sharma Sri Lanka