Nathan Lyon’s girlfriend welcomed into cricket WAGs inner circle

Emma McCarthy was frozen out of the WAG inner sanctum for a year out of respect for the woman she replaced, but now Nathan Lyon’s controversial squeeze has been given the tick of approval, making her debut at the Sydney Test.

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She was frozen out for a year out of respect for the woman she replaced.

But now Emma McCarthy, controversial squeeze of Aussie off-spinner Nathan Lyon, has been ushered into the inner sanctum of the Aussie cricket WAGs in a stunning debut at the SCG Pink Test.

Flanked by her fellow WAGS and wearing a floor-length pink and white gown, McCarthy outshone other guests to take centre stage at her first Cricket Australia function yesterday, the Jane McGrath high tea held at the Entertainment Quarter.

Cricket WAGs Rachel Khawaja, Sarah Ray (Peter Handscomb), Bec Marsh (Shaun Marsh), Becky Boston (Pat Cummins), Cat McAteer (Marcus Harris), Bonnie Paine and Emma McCarthy (Nathan Lyon). Picture: Toby Zerna

Pat Cummins’ girlfriend Becky Boston and Bonnie Paine arrive at the SCG for the Jane McGrath High Tea. Picture: Toby Zerna

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Her star turn alongside top-ranking WAGs Bonnie Paine, wife of Aussie captain Tim Paine, and Pat Cummins’ girlfriend Becky Boston is seen as a huge achievement for the 26-year-old real estate agent from Perth following a shaky start to her WAG status.

It wasn’t that long ago the Aussie players and their partners continued to support Lyons’ estranged wife Mel Waring in the wake of the couple’s separation.

Waring, who married Lyon nine years ago when he was just a humble groundskeeper, was famously blindsided last December when photos emerged of her husband, with whom she had only recently separated, kissing McCarthy in a car park.

Emma McCarthy and Nathan Lyon.

Lyon’s ex-partner Mel Waring with their two daughters.

The 30-year-old has since gone on to raise her daughters Harper, 4, and Milla, 3, alone while still receiving support from the other cricketing partners who its rumoured had made a pact to shun McCarthy from the WAG inner circle out of loyalty.

But according to team insiders, that all changed at the start of Australia’s Test series against India after Lyon made it clear to Aussie team management that his new girlfriend would be attending matches.

It appeared McCarthy’s transition into fully-fledged WAG was complete yesterday when she was seated at the head of the table at the glamorous high tea.

Mel Waring with Steve Smith’s wife Dani Willis on the Smith wedding day. Picture: Instagram.

It is understood the WAGs had made a pact to shun McCarthy from their inner circle.

“The Pink Test high tea is the day when the WAGs are most visible,” said an Aussie cricket source. “So if ever there was a day they would hide Emma today would be it.

“But clearly the decision has been made that she is now an official WAG and this was most certainly the day to make that statement. Which they have done.”

Many of the WAGs refused to be drawn on McCarthy’s new place among their exclusive inner circle. However, Rachel Khawaja, wife of batsman Usman Khawaja, admitted that a new member — at the expense of an old one — was “hard”.

Emma McCarthy, Bonnie Paine, Becky Boston and Cat McAteer.

“When the girls leave because their partners get dropped or whatever it’s always hard,” Mrs Khawaja said. “But if your friendship’s strong enough you will stay friends.”

It is understood that the current batch of glam WAGs, which also includes Peter Handscomb’s girlfriend Sarah Ray, Shaun Marsh’s wife Rebecca and Australian opener Marcus Harris’s girlfriend Cat McAteer, have their own WhatsApp messaging group, which they use to share photos and discuss outfit choices ahead of formal functions.