The Inspiring Journey of Nathan Lyon: From Groundsman To Australia’s Best Off-spinner

Lyon debuted after Australia tried 11 spinners post Shane Warne.

Nathan Lyon has made his name as one of best Aussie spinners of all-time. However, do you know Lyon had never dreamt of playing cricket professionally. In fact, he had a well settled job as a Ground staff at the Adelaide Cricket Ground.

One day when he found a bowl near him, he casually went onto the pitch and started bowling. Impressed with his bowling, Darren Berry, coach of the Big Bash Franchise Redbacks, persuaded him to start training. 

Also read: IND vs AUS 3rd Test: Lyon’s 8-wicket haul puts Australia in sight of victory as India struggle in Indore Test

This professional training changed fortunes for Nathon Lyon as soon he earned a place in the Australian Team and went on to become one of Australia’s best off-spinners in no time.

Nathan Lyon made his debut against Sri Lanka and in his very first ball he took the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara. Lyon took 6 wickets in the game and impressed everyone with his performance.

The off-spinner has played 118 Test matches so far in Test Cricket, scalping 479 wickets at an average of 31.11 and at an economy rate of 2.93.

Nathan Lyon’s Favorite Opponent: India

In his latest Test, Nathan Lyon took eight wickets against India in the 3rd Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 6 years back in 2017, Nathan Lyon took eight for 50; his best figures in a Test innings. He is up to 113 wickets against India, trailing only Jimmy Anderson with 139 from 10 additional Tests. Nobody has more five-wicket hauls against India than Lyon’s mark of nine. 

IPL 2024

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