NEW DELHI: Australia's Test captain, Pat Cummins, is optimistic about veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon extending his illustrious career and eventually surpassing Australian bowling legends Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in Test wicket-tally.
Lyon recently achieved the significant milestone of 500 Test wickets during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth.
Following Lyon's achievement, Cummins expressed confidence in the off-spinner's ability to play for another four or five years, with approximately 10 Test matches per year. Cummins suggested that at this rate, Lyon could accumulate another 40 to 50 Test matches, potentially adding a couple of hundred more wickets to his current tally of 501.
"Still got another four or five years at least, with 10 games a year. I still think you've got 40 or 50 Test matches, that's four or five years with 10 (matches) a year. Averaging four or five a game, so a couple of hundred (wickets) - that's 700," remarked Cummins after Australia's victory in the first Test.
Lyon, now with 501 Test wickets, sits behind Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (563) in the list of Australia's leading wicket-takers.
1/10:Australia's Nathan Lyon spins his way to 500 club
AFP
2/10:The exclusive 500 club
<p>Nathan Lyon on Sunday became only the 8th bowler in the history of Test cricket to bag 500 wickets. Lyon reached the milestone when he trapped Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf on Day 4 of Perth Test which Australia won by 360 runs. <br /></p>AP
3/10:Historic feat
<p>Off-spinner Lyon became the third Australian and fourth spinner to join the elite club.<br /></p>AFP
4/10:The magician
<p>Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran sits on top of the table of most wickets in Test cricket. He finished his glittering career with 800 wickets in 133 matches. <br /></p>Agencies
5/10:Spin wizard
<p>Legendary Shane Warner is second on the list with 708 wickets in 145 games. The Aussie died last year in March aged 52. <br /></p>Getty Images
6/10:Old war horse
<p>With 690 wickets in 183 Tests so far, England veteran James Anderson is fourth on the list of bowlers with most Test wickets. <br /></p>Agencies
7/10:Jumbo
<p>Indian legend Anil Kumble finished with 619 wickets in his 18-year long Test career. He featured in 132 games during this period. <br /></p>Getty Images
8/10:English great
<p>England Test great Stuart Broad, who recently announced his Test retirement, took 604 wickets in 167 games for his country. <br /></p>AFP
9/10:Aussie pace great
<p>Australian legend Glenn McGrath claimed 563 wickets in 124 games throughout his Test career. He is the only Aussie paceman on the '500 club' list.<br /></p>Agencies
10/10:The first ever!
<p>West Indian great Courtney Walsh was the first bowler ever to breach the 500-wicket mark in Test cricket. He finished with 519 scalps in 132 matches. <br /></p>Getty ImagesWhile Lyon refrained from speculating about surpassing these legends, Cummins issued a challenge to the off-spinner after his remarkable feat.
As Australia prepare for the upcoming Tests against Pakistan and a series against West Indies in January, Cummins highlighted Lyon's pivotal role in the team. Cummins acknowledged Lyon's absence during the Ashes series in England and emphasized the spinner's ability to excel in various conditions.
Australia will face Pakistan in the second Test in Melbourne on December 26, providing Lyon with another opportunity to contribute to his wicket tally.
(With inputs from ANI)
