Follow UsNathan Lyon has been among the top spinners in the world ever since he dismissed Kumar Sangakkara off the first ball of his career back in 2011. He has stood the test of time and has proved to be Australia's greatest spinner after Shane Warne.
However, the off-spinner has opened up about retirement, and has also decided to pass on an age old tradition to Alex Carey.
“I’ve been very honoured to firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it’s been one of the biggest highlights of my career,” Lyon said ahead of the 2nd Test in Grenada against West Indies, according to The Australian.
“It definitely doesn’t mean I’m retiring anytime soon. It’s more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love in the way he goes about it on and off the field and I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate.
“I ran my race with it, and it’s time for someone else to put their touch on it. I’ve loved having the privilege to lead the team song, but now I can sit back and hopefully enjoy a few wins and just relax and take it all in.”
Lyon also revealed that Carey was taken aback when the offer came his way. In fact, it was Carey who led the song when Lyon was ruled out of the Ashes in 2023 due to a calf injury. “I went up to his room the second night [of the first Test against West Indies),” Lyon explained.
“I wrote him a little hand [written] letter … and spoke to him about the reasons why I’ve come to the decision. He was pretty taken aback by it, but it was pretty cool little moment.”
Lyon has already set his eyes on playing yet another World Test Championship (WTC) final, among other targets. “I’ve always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England," he said.
“We’ve got that opportunity in a couple years’ time, but we’ve also got to take it Test by Test and make sure that we’re doing everything here … in the West Indies right. Then we’ve got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure.”
After winning the first Test by 159 runs, Australia and West Indies lock horns in the second Test, starting July 3 in Grenada.