Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon is all set to join an illustrious list of cricketers to have played 100 consecutive Tests. When he will take the field in the second Ashes 2023 Test at Lord’s, starting June 28, he will reach the feat as well.
Starting August 2013, Lyon has played 99 consecutive Tests, the latest being the nail-biting first Test at Edgbaston. His consistency can be seen from the fact that only five players before him have played 100 or more consecutive Tests – Alastair Cook (159), Allan Border (153), Mark Waugh (107), Sunil Gavaskar (106) and Brendon McCullum (101).
However, in the build-up to his 100th successive Test, Lyon shared his thoughts on his stunning journey, saying to cricket.com.au: “That’s something I’m really proud of. To be able to tick off 100 consecutive Test matches, that’s a proper stat in my head. That’s a lot of Test cricket, a lot of ups and downs. No wonder I’ve got no hair.”
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However, Nathan Lyon credited former New South Wales Waratahs rugby representative and Australia women’s rugby sevens’ head of athletic performance Tom Carter alongside his network of family and friends for being there with him over the last decade.
“For any athlete to be successful over a long period of time, you’ve got to have really good people around you, and I’m not talking within the Australian cricket team. I feel like my family has been absolutely amazing, with their support and love and care. Then there is Tom Carter, who is arguably one of my best mates but also my PT (personal trainer) who I do a lot of work with behind the scenes. It’s probably five days a week when we’re at home, and he’s a psychologist as well as a fitness trainer because I’m able to vent to him and there’s no judgement. We have really good conversations, so it’s probably having those really good people around you and I dare say a lot athletes would feel the same, being able to do it for a long period of time,” Nathan Lyon concluded.
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Notably, he played a crucial role in Australia going 1-0 up in Ashes 2023. He scalped four wickets in both innings at Edgbaston and also scored an unbeaten 16, adding 55* with captain Pat Cummins (44*), as Australia chased down 281 with two wickets to spare as well. Moreover, he is just five scalps away from reaching the 500-wicket landmark as well.
