Nathan Lyon of Australia became the sixth bowler in history to collect 500 Test wickets on Sunday, hoisting the ball aloft after lbw trapping Pakistan’s Faheem Ashraf in the series opener at Perth Stadium.
During the third session, the 123-match veteran, widely known as “The GOAT,” secured his place among the “greatest of all time,” joining Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) in the renowned 500 club.
“I don’t think it’s reached me yet, although the road has definitely required a lot of hard work… “Taking 500 in my first Test back is pretty special,” Lyon, who took 3-66 and 2- 14, told reporters.
After declaring at 233-5 after lunch on day four to set Pakistan 450 for victory, the hosts annihilated the tourists for 89 to grab a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, which continues on December 26 in Melbourne.
Australia’s seamers were dominant on day four, reducing the visitors to 48-4 before tea, but it was Lyon’s 28th over lbw review that enthralled the crowd.
“I was quietly confident it would hit leg (but with) reviews, you’re always nervous,” he went on to say.
The audience erupted when Hawk-Eye captured the ball hitting Ashraf’s stumps, giving Lyon his 500th wicket.
Lyon, who made his international debut in 2011 after a meteoric rise in Australia, entered the match with 496 wickets.
The injured calf that kept him out for most of this year’s drawn Ashes series in England was on his mind.
“There was some anxiety; I don’t think I’ve ever cramped after 10 overs, and I was cramping in both calves.” But, overall, it’s pulled up very well,” he remarked.
Lyon appeared to be on his way to attaining his milestone in Pakistan’s first innings, but he was forced to wait again when Travis Head, bowling from the other end, got the last wicket of tail-ender Shaheen Afridi.
“It’s been a journey, that’s for sure. I was probably a good 40-odd matches into my Test career before I felt like I belonged in Test cricket,” he said.
The fan favourite established himself as Australia’s top spinner, filling the void created by Warne’s retirement in 2007.
Muttiah Muralitharan, a retired Sri Lanka spinner, leads the Test wickets tally with 800, while veteran England paceman James Anderson is the most productive active player with 690.
