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.
While 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)
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