Legendary spinner Nathan Lyon played a big part in Australia’s record-breaking win over Sri Lanka in the first Test of the ongoing two-match series played at Galle International Stadium last week. The 37-year-old cricketer from New South Wales picked three wickets for 57 runs in the first innings and finished with figures of 4 for 78 in the second to help Australia take down Sri Lanka by an innings and 242-run margin. Prior to that, Lyon had helped Australia win a Test series against India at home by 3-1.
Australia had one eye on potentially achieving a historic Test series win over India in 10 years, which automatically qualified the team for the second World Test Championship Final in a row against South Africa at Lord’s from June 11 to 15.
Though Australia have been a dominant force in the five-day format of the game in recent times, Lyon believes the Baggy Greens still have a long way to go before they can be regarded as a great team.
“We want to become a great Australian team. We’re on that journey, and we’re not there yet. That’s our end-goal,” Lyon was caught by ICC before the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
“As part of that journey, we want to make sure that once we close the window, we shut it,” he added. “It’s all about being ruthless and doing our best thing over extended periods.”
According to Lyon, the highest wicket-taker in the WTC with 204 scalps to his name, winning Test series in India (last achieved in 2004) and Ashes in England (last achieved in 2001) are some key achievements his side is still yet to attain.
“There are a few things; we haven’t won in India. Plus, we’ve retained the last two Ashes (via drawn series), away. So, there’s quite a few things that this is only me and my thoughts as well. But within that change room, there are some great players. You can’t hide behind that; you look at Steve Smit bringing up 10,000 runs.” Mark himself is convinced that, with the emergence of Mitchell Starc, the Australian team would become a great side in a few years.
