Australian Nathan Lyon celebrates the wicket-taking by Englishwoman Jofra Archer in 2019. Photo: Action Images/Jason Cairnduff
What is Nathan Lyon proud of? Not gates, of which there are many, and not test caps. No, it was an informal meeting in a Sydney hotel room after Michael Hussey retired, which is the highlight of Lyon's sporting life.
“He called me and I went with a couple of beers in hand.” – Lyon begins, the rhythm of his words changes. “He gave me a handwritten letter in which he explained that he wanted to give me the team's song. This is probably the proudest moment of my entire career. We drank a couple of beers and I spent about an hour trying to convince him not to retire.”
Since Rod Marsh introduced him in the 1970s, Under the Southern Cross I Stand has been a winner Australian singing. Today it is considered the most elite friendly act in Australian cricket.
“It was incredible, buddy,” Lyon tells Telegraph Sport ahead of this year’s Ashes series, and even a decade later, the emotion is still audible. “I get goosebumps when I talk about it. It's a pretty amazing moment, to be honest. The letter is in my house, framed. I won't give it up.»
Lyon's Test career was just 19 games when Hussey passed the baton. The late great Shane Warne had already retired, which meant Lyon didn't have a rotating shoulder to lean on during his formative matches.
«[Hussie] really hugged me and took care of me.» me differently. on and off the field,” he explains. «He liked the way I did things, how I respected the value of baggy greens, how I played cricket.» their teammates in song after Australia retained the Ashes at Old Trafford in 2019. Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Pierse
For Hussey to show that back then, believing in Lyon meant a little more. At that time, the choice of an off-spinner was far from certain. Indeed, he did not participate in the second Test of the subsequent tour of India and missed the first two Ashes Tests that summer.
But since Lyon returned to Old Trafford in August 2013, Lyon has not missed a beat. one test shot: Lord's will be Lyon's 100th in June, other things being equal.
«I really didn't know what I was doing when I played my first test.»
Of course, this is a stark contrast to England, who no longer have their front spinner after Jack Leach was expelled from the Ashes. with a back injury.
Lion entered the Test fights just 203 days after his first-class bow. «When you say that, it proves to me that I really didn't know what I was doing when I played my first Test,» he says.
This is no longer the case, of course, but Lyon still feels the nerves. This apprehension has nothing to do with a lack of confidence in one's own skills: «it's more about taking care of my teammates and taking care of playing cricket for Australia. I feel it's a huge privilege.»
Lion is a key cog in a team built on consistency, experience (nine of the likely starters of the summer played at least 36 Tests) and a strong and consistent lead.
“Andrew [McDonald, head coach] really has a calming effect on the group,” Lyon begins. «And with Pat [Cummins] and Smithy [Steve Smith], I feel like we have probably the best bowler in the world and one of the best batters in the world to keep us going.
«We have a lot of jokes, but we train our asses.”
“Pat can really bring all these players together. We have so much fun off the field, a lot of jokes, but we work our butts. We believe everyone is also doing the work behind the scenes to make sure we're where we need to be.»
Nathan Lyon tunes in for the final of the World Testing Championship in the Oval nets. Photo: Getty Images/Ryan Pearce
Among the less experienced players to emerge recently are Todd Murphy and Matt Koenemann. They created a spin triptych with Lyon during a recent trip to India.
“I really enjoyed the opportunity to hopefully guide and help them along the way, hug them and guide them when needed,” says Lyon.
The fact that Lyon had little direction when he started has stayed with him. “I feel that without being arrogant, I have a lot of knowledge and a lot of experience, positive and negative. I feel like I've learned along the way. I have so much to offer these young guys.”
Lyon is an interesting company. He matches the lines of the media — a 30-minute conversation punctuated by references to cricket «brands» — with genuine warmth. He combines steel with humor. He displays confidence but rarely succumbs to arrogance (although the eighth-highest wicket-taker in history can be forgiven for the occasional pomposity). time”, given to him by Smith and Brad Haddin, sits comfortably.
“When you don't like a nickname, it tends to stick around a lot longer. I, being myself, not liking to be the center of attention, pulled back a little. Now I have little kids calling me Goat and Harry and everyone else in the world when I walk down the street. It is what it is. I don't see things changing now.»
«I wrote a series of children's books to wean my girls off the iPad.»
Lion leaned towards Harry, a nod to the 1990s Australian Rules star with the same last name. — albeit by releasing a series of semi-autobiographical children's books. Speaking of «Good Harry», Lyon again shows a softer side.
“It was more to try and wean my two girls off the iPad. If they can read about the pope but not about him, then I hope they will take the books. I can say that this is a success. They love them. They read books to me. It was very surreal, but at the same time very special.”
Returning to cricket, Lyon are not embarrassed by Buzzball. In fact, he seems genuinely excited about it, stating, “I want people to come up to me. I feel like it was part of my journey.»
But the spinner has to balance between attack and defense, right? “I feel like a spinner with an in-out field is probably more like a fast bowler with three misses and a gully. Why should I leave the middle up and let the batter have three free hits and get 12 to 18 runs fairly quickly? As a bowler player, you suddenly find yourself in a predicament.
“So yes, I will definitely have protection. There is no doubt about this. I've had it in my last 119 test matches and I won't change it now.”
Good luck this summer, Nathan. «That's not what you mean, mate,» he replies. «But appreciate it anyway.»
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