Australia captain Pat Cummins lauded Nathan Lyon for completing 500 wickets in Test cricket and urged him to go for Shane Warne’s record of 708 wickets. Lyon achieved the feat in Australia’s 360-run win over Pakistan in Perth.
His 500th Test victim was Faheem Ashraf as he trapped him in front of the stumps. The 36-year-old has now 501 wickets with Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) the two Australian greats ahead of him.
Pat Cummins, who attended the post-match press conference with Nathan Lyon, issued a challenge to the off-spinner after his remarkable feat.
"Still got another four or five years at least, with 10 games a year. I still think you've got 40 or 50 Test matches, that's four or five years with 10 (matches) a year. Averaging four or five a game, so a couple of hundred (wickets) - that's 700," Cummins said after their victory as quoted from ICC.
AUS v PAK 2023-24: David Warner can play Test cricket for another year, says Ian Healy
Lyon still has two more Tests against Pakistan to add to his tally and then the West Indies visit for two Tests in Adelaide and Brisbane in January.
"I don't think it's any secret that he (Lyon) is probably the most important cog in our bowling line-up. This game is probably a little bit different. But most games where he's bowling 30 overs a day, basically just put him down one end and he's not going to go for many runs. He's going to take a few wickets and then we quick bowlers can just rotate through the other end.
No doubt he was missed over there in England (during this year's Ashes series) for sure. As a captain, it makes it a lot easier knowing that bloke who has played 100-odd Test matches knows his craft, and can bowl pretty much in any conditions, you just let him get to work so it's great having him back. Yeah, another 500 to go," Cummins added.
Australia will face Pakistan in the second Test in Melbourne on December 26.
(ANI inputs)
