After Warne, Muralitharan and Kumble, Nathan Lyon becomes fourth spinner to claim 500 Test wickets

It was Lyon trapping Faheem Ashraf leg before wicket that helped him breach the much-awaited milestone for the Australia off-spinner.

500 TEST WICKETS FOR NATHAN LYON 🐐

It’s done with the help of DRS!#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/qamwQR30S7

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 17, 2023

“For a young kid growing up in country New South Wales, 500 wickets was a bloody long way away,” Lyon told broadcasters afterwards. “It was bloody hard work, but something I’m very proud about. Nice to get back after the injury, I have not taken anything for granted, especially playing for Australia, appreciate every moment of my career.

Asked how he’d celebrate the 500th wicket as he moves closer to Shane Warne’s national record, he quipped: “Probably in Warnie’s fashion, I reckon.”

Lyon, who made his debut in 2011, marked his comeback for the Aussies following a calf injury he picked up during the Ashes this summer. With a total of 501 wickets now, the off spinner is Australia’s third-leading wicket-taker in the format.

Aussie skipper Pat Cummins lauded the off spinner, “500 Test wickets around the world is huge. Couldn’t be happier for him. He was out for six months with a calf injury and it’s great to see him back.”

Earlier on the day, the Aussie pacers were all over Pakistan batters, who were chasing a gigantic total of 451. Mitchell Starc and and Josh Hazlewood claimed three-wickets-a-piece whilst captain Pat Cummins also nabbed the all-important wicket of Pat Cummins.