Nathan Lyon is the most successful Australian spinner with 556 wickets in 138 Tests.
Australian spin great Nathan Lyon has no immediate intentions to retire from Test cricket and revealed that he longs for one last away series victory in India before ending his remarkable career.
With 556 wickets in 138 Test matches, the 37-year-old is Australia's most successful off-spinner. He has taken 130 wickets against India in 32 Test matches, both at home and away, but he has never participated in an away series victory in India.
In actuality, since their "final frontier" victory in 2004–05, Australia has not defeated India in their own backyard.
"I've always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England. We've got that opportunity in a couple of years, but we've also got to take it Test by Test, and make sure that we're doing everything here in the West Indies right. Then we've got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure," Lyon was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
However, Lyon has given up his role as the song-master for the Australian squad, handing the reins to batsman-wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who performed the duties during the dressing room festivities following their 159-run victory over the West Indies in the opening Test.
The song master leads the group in singing "Underneath the Southern Cross" following each triumph. Former Australian batter Michael Hussey carried up this tradition, which was initiated by Rod Marsh, to Lyon. Lyon led the celebrations in Test cricket with 67 victories out of 125 games.
"I've been very honored to, firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it's been one of the biggest highlights of my career. It definitely doesn't mean I'm retiring anytime soon. It's more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love in the way he goes about it on and off the field, and I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate," he said.
Lyon said he now wants to sit back and "take it all in".
"I ran my race with it, and it's time for someone else to put their touch on it. I've loved having the privilege to lead the team song, but now I can sit back and hopefully enjoy a few wins and just relax and take it all in," he said.
Australia will take on the West Indies in the second Test starting here on Wednesday.
(PTI inputs)