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Nathan Lyon

Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon Image: Wikimedia Commons. Kushagra khanna / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nathan Michael Lyon (born 20 November 1987) is an Australian international cricketer who plays as an off-spin bowler and lower-order right-handed batsman. He made his Test debut in 2011 and represents New South Wales in domestic cricket. Lyon is widely regarded as the most successful Australian off-spin bowler in the history of Test cricket.

Key facts

Full name Nathan Michael Lyon
Date of birth 20 November 1987
Nationality Australian
Role Off-spin bowler, right-handed lower-order batsman
Test debut 2011
Domestic team New South Wales
100th Test January 2021, against India

Background and style

Lyon is a specialist off-spinner who has built his Test career around accuracy, drift and consistent over-the-wicket bowling on a wide variety of pitches. He bats right-handed in the lower order for both his state side and the national team.

Career

International debut and rise

Lyon made his Test debut for Australia in 2011. Over the following years, he established himself as the country's leading specialist spin option across home and overseas conditions.

Records

In 2015, Lyon surpassed Hugh Trumble's tally of 141 Test wickets to become the highest wicket-taker among Australian off-spin bowlers. He has continued to extend this record over subsequent series.

Milestone Tests

In January 2021, during Australia's home Test series against India, Lyon played in his 100th Test match.

Standing in Test cricket

As of 2025, Lyon is Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker of all time. He also ranks sixth among all international players in Test cricket with more than 500 wickets.

Honours and recognition

  • Named in the ICC Test Team of the Year on three occasions.
  • Recipient of the Shane Warne Men's Test Player of the Year award in 2019 and 2024.
  • Member of the Australian squad that won the 2021–2023 ICC World Test Championship.

Significance

Lyon's longevity and consistency have made him a central figure in Australia's bowling attack for over a decade. By eclipsing Hugh Trumble's long-standing mark and joining the small group of bowlers with 500 or more Test wickets, he has redefined the role of the off-spinner in modern Australian cricket, a side traditionally dominated by fast bowling.

References