Five of the most memorable performances of Nathan Lyon's Test career
Australia vs Sri Lanka, first Test, Galle, 2011
Few bowlers have announced themselves on the big stage as emphatically as Lyon did on Test debut. He removed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara with the first ball of his first spell, going on to record figures of 5/34 from 15 overs as Australia won by 125 runs.
"I'm far from being done."@NathLyon421 humbled that he'll become the 13th man to play 100 Tests for Australia.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/J8gdXSd0Dq
— ICC (@ICC) January 14, 2021
Australia vs India, first Test, Adelaide, 2014Lyon took 10 wickets in a match for the first time at Adelaide Oval, the storied venue where he had previously been a member of the ground staff. He followed first-innings figures of 5/134 with 7/152 (12/286 for the match). India were cruising on the final day with M Vijay and Virat Kohli at the crease, but Lyon ended their 185-run partnership to spark a collapse that earned the home side a famous win.
Australia vs India, second Test, Bengaluru, 2017Having endured a lean patch in a home series loss to South Africa in late 2016, Lyon regained peak form on the subcontinent. He ripped through India's batting line-up in the first innings in Bengaluru to record career-best figures of 8/50 from 22.2 overs as the home side was bowled out for 189. However, Australia weren't able to capitalise on the spinner's heroics, falling to a 75-run defeat.
Nathan Lyon is joining an illustrious club when he plays his 100th Test for Australia tomorrow 💯#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NsK6NXUg1D
— ICC (@ICC) January 14, 2021
Australia vs England, first Test, Edgbaston, 2019Lyon played a key role when Australia finally stormed 'Fortress' Edgbaston for their first Ashes win at the ground since 2001. Lyon finished with nine wickets for the match and his second-innings performance of 6/49 – which included his 350th Test scalp – proved pivotal. Combining superbly with Pat Cummins, who took the other four wickets, Lyon propelled the tourists to a 251-run win that set Australia on the way to retaining the Ashes.
Australia vs New Zealand, third Test, Sydney, 2020
The most wickets Lyon has taken in a Test match is 13 (against Bangladesh in Chattogram in 2017), but his 10/118 against New Zealand is arguably worthy of greater praise. Struggling with a bruised and bloodied thumb, Lyon broke through for his first five-wicket haul (5/68) at the SCG in the first innings and took 5/50 in the second as Australia routed their trans-Tasman rivals in a 3-0 series win.