Nathan Lyon equals Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan's all-time record during 1st Test vs New Zealand

Australian spinner Nathan Lyon achieved a massive milestone during the first Test of the two-match series against New Zealand. Nathan Lyon joined the elite list of Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan after securing a five-wicket haul during the second innings.

The Pat Cummins-led team kicked off the red ball series with a commanding 172-run victory at the Basin Reserve in Wellington on Sunday, March 3. Nathan Lyon played a pivotal role in the Australia team’s win, with his exceptional performance with both bat and ball.

Nathan Lyon Equals Shane Warne And Muttiah Muralitharan’s Record

Nathan Lyon picked up seven of New Zealand’s wickets that fell on the fourth day of the series opener. He took six wickets for 65 runs as New Zealand was bowled out for 196 runs in the fourth innings. The veteran off-spinner completed a ten-wicket haul in the match.

Lyon equaled the record held by spin-bowling legends Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan for claiming five-wicket hauls in the most number of Test host countries. This marked Lyon’s 24th five-wicket haul for Australia in Test cricket and his first in New Zealand.

The 36-year-old became the third player to pick up a five-wicket haul in nine Test host countries. Lyon has taken five-wicket hauls in countries including Sri Lanka, the West Indies, India, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan, and New Zealand.

Five Wicket Hauls In Most Test Host Countries

9 – Nathan Lyon, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan

8 – Dale Steyn, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis

6 – Richard Hadlee Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Glenn McGrath, James Anderson, Rangana Herath

Lyon achieved a 6-wicket haul in the fourth innings of the match, marking a milestone as he became the first spinner since Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori to secure over 10 wickets in a Test match in New Zealand. Muralitharan and Vettori achieved the feat in 2006.

Rachin Ravindra Is Going To Be A Super Star – Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon expressed admiration for Rachin Ravindra’s performance and predicted he would become a cricketing ‘superstar.’ The off-spinner highlighted Ravindra’s impressive display during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

“You got to give respect and credit where credit’s due, I thought Rachin and Daryl played superb innings there. Rachin seems like a really good player, first time I have bowled to him. Watched a lot of him during the World Cup and he’s going to be a superstar. He played very well there,” Lyon told reporters after the end of play on Day 3.

Rachin Ravindra scored 59 runs off 105 balls with the help of eight boundaries and a six. The left-handed batter added just three runs to his overnight score before being dismissed by Lyon. The hosts lost their last seven wickets for 70 runs in the final innings of the match.

New Zealand has not beaten Australia in a Test match since 2011. The Tim Southee-led team will be hoping to bounce back in the second Test, which is scheduled to be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from March 8 to 12.

Also read: Nathan Lyon sets a record for most Test runs without a half-century during 1st NZ vs AUS Test