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Spin wizard Nathan Lyon achieved a monumental feat in the world of cricket by reaching 500 Test wickets milestone during the first match of the Pakistan tour of Australia 2023-24. This accomplishment placed him in an elite league of bowlers, and the cricketing fraternity and fans worldwide celebrated Lyon’s remarkable achievement. One such tribute came from India’s premier spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, who conveyed his admiration through a special message for the Australian juggernaut.
R Ashwin’s message for Nathan Lyon
Ashwin lauded Lyon, recognizing his remarkable achievement as the eighth bowler and only the second off-spinner in history to reach the milestone of 500 Test wickets.
“8th bowler and only the 2nd off spinner in history to pick 500 test wickets.@NathLyon421 congrats mate,” Ashwin wrote on X with two GOAT emojis.
8th bowler and only the 2nd off spinner in history to pick 500 test wickets.@NathLyon421 congrats mate 🐐🐐#AUSvsPAK
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) December 17, 2023
Nathan Lyon joins the elite club
Lyon’s journey to 500 Test wickets is nothing short of extraordinary. His achievement is particularly noteworthy as the 36-year-old became the eighth bowler in cricket history to cross the 500-wicket mark. The off-spinner now stands proudly as only the third Australian bowler to achieve this feat, joining the illustrious company of legends such as Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
In a career spanning 123 matches and yet going, Lyon showcased his consistency and impact by claiming an impressive 23 five-wicket hauls. This milestone not only solidifies his place in cricketing history but also cements his legacy as one of Australia’s greatest bowlers.
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Ashwin stands closer to Lyon
As the cricketing world applauds Lyon’s achievement, Ashwin finds himself in a similar pursuit as Lyon, standing just 11 wickets away from the coveted 500-wicket milestone. The 37-year-old’s voyage to this point has been spectacular, and his statistics underscore his dominance in modern-day Test cricket.
Reaching 489 wickets in just 94 red-ball encounters, Ashwin’s remarkable efficiency and skill sets him apart. The Chennai-born cricketer boasts an impressive 34 five-wicket hauls, showcasing his ability to dismantle opposition batting line-ups single-handedly.
