Australia captain Pat Cummins praised off-spinner Nathan Lyon ahead of the second Test of the Ashes 2023, which begins on Wednesday, June 28 at Lord’s. Lyon will play his 100th consecutive Test at Lord’s, a mark that no other spinner in cricket history has accomplished.
The 35-year-old has played 121 Tests for Australia since making his debut against Sri Lanka in 2011. Cummins praised his teammate ahead of the second Test, saying that his durability is a credit to his great fitness and form.
Cummins talks about Lyon
Australia skipper Pat Cummins was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au:
“It’s a testament to not only how good Nath is in terms of longevity and fitness and form, but to be able to play 100 Tests means you’re getting picked in all conditions.”
In addition to Lyon, the Australian captain stated that he had found his way into the starting XI even in adverse situations such as the Gabba in Brisbane.
Lyon has 495 wickets in 121 Tests at an average of 30.99 in his career. The off-spinner is Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker, trailing only legends Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708). He was also the highest wicket-taker in the World Test Championship cycle 2021-23, with 88 wickets from 20 matches.
The New South Wales-born spinner was Australia’s first-choice bowler in the first Test of the Ashes 2023, picking up eight wickets and recording figures of 4/149 and 4/80 in two innings.
Lyon began his career with a bang, when he took the renowned Sri Lankan batter Kumar Sangakkara out on his first delivery in the format. He went on to take five wickets in his debut innings (5/34) and help Australia win by 125 runs.
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