Reactions to Nathan Lyon taking his 500th Test wicket

Last Updated on 11 hours by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Reactions to Nathan Lyon taking his 500th Test wicket | Fans react to Nathan Lyon becoming the third Australian to take 500 Test wickets

Australia thumped Pakistan by 360 runs on the fourth day of the West Test at Perth. Mitchell Marsh won the man of the match award in his home state after David Warner set the game up with his 164 on day one.

But, the fourth day belonged to Nathan Lyon. The offspinner became the third Australian – and eighth bowler overall – to take 500 Test wickets after pinning Faheem Ashraf LBW. He joins Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in elite company, which is quite the achievement after making his Test debut in 2011 with just five First Class matches under his belt and a role as curator at the Adelaide Oval.

His career began in the most memorable of circumstances, picking up the wicket of the great Kumar Sangakkara off his very first ball. 499 wickets later, there is to be no doubt over the importance and significance of Lyon in Australia’s attack, especially considering how greatly the team missed his services in the final three-and-a-half Tests of the 2023 Ashes series.

Lyon’s value goes beyond just his sheer numbers. Although 501 Test wickets at a tick under 31 is a remarkable record for a conventional offspinner from Australia, he held up an end time and time again, allowing Australia’s superb pace attack to do their thing without worrying about the spinner being ineffective.

His tag as the GOAT of Australian offspinners is well justified. Australia’s next-most prolific offspinner is Hugh Trumble, way behind on 141 wickets. Ashley Mallett (132), Bruce Yardley (126) and Ian Johnson (109) are next. Simply superb.

Fans and players react to Nathan Lyon picking up his 500th Test wicket

“Something I’m very proud about,” said Lyon to Channel 7 after the match. “Personally, to take 500 is a bloody big milestone.”

Here are some of the reactions from fans and players to Lyon’s magnificent achievement. India’s legendary offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin led the messages of congratulations.

GARRY 500 🐐

Nathan Lyon becomes just the third Australian to reach the 500 Test wicket milestone, and eighth all-time. Incredible 🐐 pic.twitter.com/EFldA4kbLV

— Triple M Cricket (@triplemcricket) December 17, 2023

Aussies are so clinical .. they have everything covered for all conditions .. Well done to @NathLyon421 on 500 Test wickets .. Incredible achievement .. Only @BCCI have the tools to compete here in Oz at this stage .. #AUSvsPAK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 17, 2023

Nathan Lyon took a wicket off his first delivery in Test cricket in 2011 and now after 12 years has 501 wickets to his name. Now, taking a wicket with the first ball of your Test career would feel like a brilliant way to start the career for anyone. However, a look at the numbers… pic.twitter.com/lXRIf2RuaX

— TheRandomCricketPhotosGuy (@RandomCricketP1) December 17, 2023

A total of 22 players took a wicket on first ball of Test career.

Most Test wickets among them
500 – NATHAN LYON
170 – Keith Miller
125 – Intikhab Alam
64 – Bert Vogler
57 – Shaminda Eranga

Lyon began his Test career by dismissing Kumar Sangakkara off his first ever ball.

— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats) December 17, 2023

Enormous achievement by Nathan Lyon to take 500 Test wickets. Eighth man to get there, the third Australian. Given the rapidly changing nature of the global cricket economy, he could well be the last Australian to do it. #AUSvPAK

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) December 17, 2023

The exact moment when Nathan Lyon & the rest of the Australian team realised that he’d got the 500th Test wicket. What an achievement for a finger-spinner from Australia. What a great Australian story #AusvPak pic.twitter.com/fVg9rOl3h7

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) December 17, 2023

500 WICKETS FOR NATHAN LYON. ⭐

Australia were searching for a spinner since the retirement of Warne then came Lyon and became the backbone of Australian spin attack and today completed 500 Test wickets – What an achievement. pic.twitter.com/fLWAhlY0uw

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) December 17, 2023

500 wickets is a great achievement but what about doing it without overstepping ever in your Test career. Nathan Lyon has 501 wickets, bowled 31,608 balls and never bowled a line no-ball! #AusvPak

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 17, 2023

Lyon is a Modern day Great. Top Bowler. His Great thing is that he got 243 test wkts in Australia which is a great Achievement becoz here mostly Fast Bowlers enjoy but Lyon has been so good

— Waqar Afridi (@WakaAfridi) December 17, 2023

What a cricketer, what a journey! From a groundsman at the Adelaide Oval to 500 Test wickets, this has been quite special. A remarkable feat for Nathan Lyon! #AUSvPAK

— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) December 17, 2023

500 Test wickets. Absolutely incredible.

Nathan Lyon is now in esteemed company as one of the greatest to ever play the game.

🐐 #AUSvPAK

— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) December 17, 2023

Congratulations @NathLyon421

500 Test wickets

3rd AUS
8th overall
4th spinner
2nd finger spinner

From a groundsman at Adelaide Oval to a Test wicket with his first ball & on to stardom

A terrific career built on perseverance, resilience, self-belief & skill 👏

🏏 #AUSvPAK

— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) December 17, 2023

Since 2011:
Player with most no. of Wins in Tests: 67 Wins

Player with most no. of Wins in Away Tests: 22 Wins

Only Bowler with 100+ Wickets in Away Test wins during this period(112 Wickets when nobody has even 75 wickets)

Nathan Lyon ♥️🙏

Being Simple is not Easy & that… pic.twitter.com/INqG7BsRHY

— Abhishek AB (@ABsay_ek) December 17, 2023