(Source X)
Legendary Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has addressed speculation about his potential retirement following the 2025-26 Ashes series. At 36 years old, Lyon feels it would be premature for him to retire at the end of the next Ashes series, even though he will be 38 by then.
While it appeared that Lyon might follow in the footsteps of fellow Australian spin legend Shane Warne, who retired after the 2005-06 Ashes series, Lyon currently has no plans to quit. Additionally, he shared insights about his experience in Lancashire’s dressing room during the County Championship this season.
Nathan Lyon makes a significant announcement regarding his retirement.
Lyon voiced his ambition to continue playing Test cricket for Australia and believes it is premature to make any decisions about retirement at this stage.
“It’s too early (on his retirement call),” Lyon was quoted as saying by The Sydney Morning Herald.
Nathan Lyon has played 129 Tests for Australia, amassing 530 wickets at an average of 30.28, and has achieved 24 five-wicket hauls in his career. He has long been Australia’s top spinner in Test cricket.
Following Shane Warne’s retirement, Australia experimented with several spin options, including Nathan Hauritz, Jason Krejza, and Xavier Doherty, but none managed to establish themselves as a consistent choice. Lyon, however, emerged as the most effective spinner of the lot.
Though he has relatively few variations, Lyon has relied on fundamental techniques to succeed on Australian pitches, which are generally less favorable to off-spin bowling.
Nathan Lyon reflects on his experience with Lancashire.
Lyon also reflected on his time with Lancashire during the County season, recalling discussions with left-arm spinner Tom Hartley, who had a standout debut Test series against India earlier this year.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time in England being inside the Lancs change room, listening to guys talk about the Ashes, talk about the way they’re planning, the way they’re going to approach winning out here.”
“I had some really good chats with Tom Hartley about different ways that he went about it to different guys, which I found quite interesting. If the plans that we’ve spoken about come true I think it will be interesting,” Lyon said.
The 36-year-old also discussed the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, scheduled for later this year. Lyon highlighted Yashasvi Jaiswal as the key threat to Australia in the forthcoming Test series against India.
“India seem to have the ability to grab someone out of nowhere, and they become an absolute superstar. You look at this (Yashasvi) Jaiswal. I haven’t come across him yet, but that’s going to be a massive challenge for all us bowlers. The way he played in the recent Test series against England in India, I watched that quite closely, and I thought that was quite amazing,” he added.
Nathan Lyon is focused on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, viewing it as “ten years of unfinished business.” The off-spinner is aware of his vital role in the series, having participated in the last four Test series against India, all of which Australia lost by the same 1-2 margin.
