Nathan Lyon’s emotional tribute to Test debutant Travis Head: ‘Brother I never had’
NATHAN Lyon struggled to hold back tears as he told Travis Head he was like “the little brother he never had” during an emotional baggy green cap presentation in Dubai.
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NATHAN Lyon struggled to hold back tears as he told Travis Head he was like “the little brother he never had” during an emotional baggy green cap presentation in Dubai.
The very fact a current player was bestowing the honour on a debutant showed just how significant the tribute was to the young South Australian.
Not since Ricky Ponting presented Brad Haddin with his baggy green cap way back in 2008 is it thought a current member of the squad had been asked to speak about a first-Test player.
It’s normally a former great from outside the dressing room. But this message came from within and won’t be forgotten by Head.
Lyon spoke from the heart as he recalled the first time he crossed paths with a young batsman at South Australia and how he watched his journey through the ranks ever since.
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“I was there for your SACA debut, I think of you as the little brother I never had,” said Lyon as he choked up with emotion.
“This cap means more than just a game of cricket. You’ve got your family and your friends and your mates in the team. I’m extremely proud to make you No.454.”
The pair have played some limited overs cricket together and have been inseparable so far on Head’s first Test tour.
Before the players ran out for the day, Lyon and Head shared two passionate embraces.
There was spirit in the air as Head’s family and the families of fellow debutants Aaron Finch and Marnus Labuschagne gathered in a large circle out in the middle.
Test great Allan Border made the presentation to Aaron Finch, who has finally made the transition from white ball star to Test debutant.
“I said things like, ‘you probably thought this moment wasn’t going to come along. You always live in hope but you never know until you actually get the nod’,” Border told cricket.com.au.
Justin Langer said when Labuschagne was selected in the squad that he would do “literally anything” to play Test cricket for Australia.
Perhaps for that reason, Mr Cricket himself, Mike Hussey, was asked to present to a kid who lives and breathes the game.
“It’s a great honour to wear this baggy green cap but with great honour comes great responsibility,” said Hussey to Labuschagne.
“What’s most important for you is to just focus on that next ball play the next ball as best as you possibly can.
“The second piece of advice I have for you is it’s how you deal with pressure. I can assure you you’ll be under plenty of pressure pretty much every day of your Test cricket career.
“Some succumb to the pressure but some see it as a privilege. Pressure is a privilege because it gives you an opportunity to do something really special.”