"Ravichandran Ashwin Has Been One Of My Biggest Coaches.."- Nathan Lyon

Australia spin spearhead Nathan Lyon is on the verge of entering a special club. The veteran off-spinner is just 4 wickets away from becoming only the third Australian bowler in the history of the game to reach the 500-wicket mark in the longest format of the game.

Nathan Lyon was looking destined to reach the milestone during the Ashes this year before an unfortunate calf injury ruled him out of action and ended his extraordinary feat of playing 100 Tests in a row. He has been an integral and indispensable part of Australia’s Test team for over a decade now and has led their spin department with utmost aplomb.

In 122 Tests so far, he has picked up 496 wickets an average of 31 with the help of 23 five-wicket hauls. Among active cricketers, only James Anderson, who has played 183 Tests so far, has more wickets than the Australia spinner. He will have the opportunity to pick his 500th Test wicket in Perth when Australia takes on Pakistan in the first Test of the three-match series, starting from Thursday (December 14).

Nathan Lyon reveals unlikely Indian coach:

One day before making his much-awaited return to Tests, Nathan Lyon has revealed that India spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin has been an inspiration to him. While both spinners have been vying for the title of the best spinner in Tests for over a decade now, Nathan Lyon has expressed that he sees the Indian star more as an inspiration than an adversary.

“You look at Ashwin, he’s a world-class bowler and somebody I’ve watched closely from the start of his career,” Nathan Lyon told cricket.com.au.

“We’ve gone head-to-head many times in different conditions around the world. I’ve got nothing but respect for Ashwin and the way he’s gone about it. I’ve definitely learned from him.

“There’s an opportunity to learn from the people you play against, and without knowing it he’s probably been one of my biggest coaches in a way. It’s pretty amazing to see we’re both creeping up to that 500 mark, and we’ll see where we end up. Hopefully at the end of our career we’ll sit down and have a nice feed and a beer and talk about it,” he added.

Ashwin is just behind Nathan Lyon in the list of players with most Test wickets. While the Australian has picked up 496 wickets in 122 Tests so far, the India spinner has 489 wickets in just 94 Tests. Ashwin will have the opportunity to enter the 500-wicket club later this month when India takes on South Africa in a two-match Test series.