Nathan Michael Lyon, popularly known as the “GOAT” (greatest of all time) among his teammates, is a talented Australian cricketer known for his exceptional offspin bowling skills. Born on November 20, 1987, in Young, New South Wales, Australia, Lyon’s journey from being a groundsman to becoming one of Australia’s most successful offspinners is nothing short of remarkable.
Lyon’s cricketing journey began when he took up a job as a curator at the Adelaide Oval groundstaff in 2010. His bowling prowess did not go unnoticed, as he caught the attention of Darren Berry, the coach of the Redbacks’ Big Bash team. Lyon impressed in the T20 format for South Australia, making his first-class debut shortly after. Within just seven months of his debut, Lyon found himself in the Australian Test squad, marking the beginning of a promising international career.
Making an instant impact, Lyon announced his arrival on the international stage by taking a wicket off his very first delivery in Test cricket. In his Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle, Lyon dismissed the legendary Kumar Sangakkara, showcasing his ability to flight the ball and pick up crucial wickets. Lyon finished the match with impressive figures of 5 for 34, setting the stage for what would become a successful Test career.
Lyon’s consistency and ability to hold his own against top-quality batsmen quickly established him as Australia’s go-to offspinner. By 2015, Lyon had surpassed Hugh Trumble’s record of 141 Test wickets to become Australia’s most successful offspinner of all time. It was during this time that his teammates bestowed upon him the title of the “GOAT,” recognizing his immense contributions to the team.
Although Lyon faced some setbacks during his career, including being dropped from the Test team twice, he fought back admirably each time. He bounced back from being attacked by MS Dhoni in a Test match against India in 2013 and had a tremendous comeback, finishing with nine wickets in the next Test against India. Similarly, despite being overlooked for the Ashes tour of England in 2013, Lyon returned stronger and cemented his place in the team for years to come.
One aspect of Lyon’s game that drew occasional scrutiny was his ability to bowl Australia to victory in the fourth innings of a Test. However, he silenced his critics in the 2014-2015 Test series against India in Adelaide, where he played a crucial role in securing victory for Australia. This performance earned him his first Player-of-the-Match award, further solidifying his place in the side.
In late 2021, Lyon reached a significant milestone when he became just the third Australian cricketer to take 400 Test wickets, placing him behind only Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne. It was a momentous achievement for Lyon, in stark contrast to his earlier milestone of 300 wickets, which was overshadowed by the infamous ball-tampering scandal.
While Lyon’s batting abilities have been limited, making him a tricky fit in the playing eleven, he has compensated for it with his exceptional fielding skills. His direct hit to run out James Vince during the 2017-2018 Ashes series at the Gabba stands out as a pivotal moment in the opening day of the series.
Nathan Lyon’s journey from a groundsman to becoming Australia’s premier Test offspinner is a testament to his talent, hard work, and determination. With numerous records to his name and a reputation as one of the best spinners of his era, Lyon continues to be an integral part of the Australian cricket team. As he steps onto the field, Australian fans eagerly await the impact of their beloved “GOAT.”
