Nathan Lyon’s story began right here in Galle.
His Test career had a dream start—taking a wicket with his very first ball. And not just any wicket, but that of Kumar Sangakkara, one of Sri Lanka’s greatest-ever batters!
Lyon’s remarkable journey has continued ever since. Nearly 14 years later, at the very same venue, he dismissed Dinesh Chandimal to claim his 550th Test wicket. Soon after, Kamindu Mendis became his 551st victim. From starting his career as a groundsman, Lyon has now become Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in Test history. In the broader cricketing world, only six bowlers have taken more wickets than him. Some cricket stories truly feel like fairy tales!
The Only Overseas Bowler with 150 Wickets in Asia
So far, 25 bowlers have taken a wicket with their very first delivery in Test cricket. The first was Australia’s Tom Horan in 1883, while South Africa’s Corbin Bosch was the latest addition to this list in December last year. Lyon was the 18th cricketer to achieve this feat. However, among these 25 bowlers, only nine have played more than ten Test matches in their careers. And out of all of them, Lyon is the only one to have played over 100 Tests!
After Shane Warne retired, Australia struggled for years to find a match-winning spinner. Then, almost by chance, South Australia’s Big Bash coach Darren Berry spotted Lyon, who was working as a groundsman in Adelaide. From Big Bash to first-class cricket and then, in just seven months, receiving the iconic Baggy Green cap from Michael Clarke—Lyon’s rise was nothing short of extraordinary. Most Australian cricketers take years to go through this journey.
Lyon didn’t disappoint. For over a decade, he has been Australia’s number-one spinner. Asian pitches have always been challenging for overseas spinners, yet Lyon stands alone as the only foreign bowler to take 150 Test wickets in Asia. He surpassed Shane Warne’s tally of 127 wickets in the region long ago.
Among Asian bowlers, only one player has taken more wickets in away or neutral venues than Lyon—Pakistan’s Yasir Shah, with 159. However, given Lyon’s form, it’s only a matter of time before he overtakes Yasir as well.
No Signs of Stopping
At 37 years old, Lyon has already played 136 Tests. He has taken ten wickets in a match five times and claimed five-wicket hauls on 24 occasions. But there are no signs of him slowing down anytime soon.
Among Australian bowlers, only Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) have more Test wickets than Lyon. But given his current trajectory, surpassing McGrath and reaching the 600-wicket milestone seems well within his grasp.
Australia Closes in on Victory
Lyon’s milestone day ended with Australia in a commanding position. By stumps on Day 3, Sri Lanka was struggling at 211 for 8 in their second innings, leading by just 54 runs. Angelo Mathews was their top scorer with 76 before departing with the team at 198. Kusal Mendis, who scored an unbeaten 85 in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 48, while former captain Dimuth Karunaratne, playing his farewell Test, managed only 14.
Earlier, Australia, resuming on 330 for 3, was bowled out for 414. Steve Smith and Alex Carey had built a massive 259-run partnership, but after Smith’s dismissal for 131, the team added only 64 more runs. Carey was eventually out for 156. Both wickets were taken by Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya, who secured his 11th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
