In an otherwise incredible career, Nathan Lyon won’t reveal why he has played so few white-ball matches

Nathan Lyon has seen off all challengers to his spot as Australia’s No.1 spinner for a decade. But there is one aspect of his career he is reticent to reflect on, writes DANIEL CHERNY.

Nathan Lyon is preparing to hand over the batton as Australia’s key spin bowler. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Nathan Lyon is happy enough to discuss most topics to do with his cricket. He’s prepared to suggest Australia could win this year’s Ashes series 5-0, that he used to worry about his spot in the team, that he’s got years left in the tank and that he thinks Todd Murphy is the nation’s best spinner since well … Nathan Lyon.

But there’s one nugget he won’t divulge. Why is it that the eighth-most prolific Test wicket-taker of all-time has played just 29 one-day internationals and only two Twenty20 internationals across more than 11 years in international cricket.

“I was gonna write this for my book, so I might leave that for that,” Lyon tells CODE Sports when asked why things haven’t worked out for him in white-ball cricket.

Lyon started working on his memoirs last year, but publication is likely still several years away.

“The book’s meant to come out whenever I retire.

“You can read the book.”

Though he’s had an incredible red-ball career, Lyon hasn’t played much white-ball cricket for Australia. Picture: News Corp

Having not played a one-dayer for his country since the losing semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, Lyon won’t formally pull the pin on the format, in which he averages 46 with the ball at an economy of 4.92 and has regularly been behind Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar.

However he concedes his chances have probably come and gone.

“If they said we want you to go play the World Cup, I would jump at the opportunity,” Lyon says.

“It's gonna be pretty hard to force your way into the white-ball World Cup when you’re not playing any white-ball cricket so I think that horse maybe bolted, but definitely not retiring from it or anything like that. If they said we want you to come play, I’d definitely go play but my big focus is Test cricket.”

It’s a focus that has served him well. Lyon has seen off all challengers to his spot as Australia’s No.1 spinner for a decade. Remarkably he has not missed a Test since being recalled to the XI for the third rubber of the 2013 series, having begun that campaign on the outer after the stunning ascension of Agar.

Lyon first played for Australia in 2013. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

“This is something that I'm really proud about,” Lyon says.

“Lord’s (the second Test of the Ashes) will be my 100th consecutive Test match.

“I’ve been very lucky and very fortunate with a lack of injuries.

“Have I had moments where I’ve been worried (about my spot)? Yeah, 100 per cent. And that’s purely because I care about the game.

“When you dropped and I come back in at Manchester. You’re always looking over your shoulder. But then you start to grow up in life and soon realise there’s no point in worrying about what’s not in your control.”

For his longevity, Lyon credits a ton of hard work, a drive for constant improvement, and the fitness regimens of long-time mentor and ex-NSW rugby player Tom Carter.

In the rising Murphy, Lyon has an heir apparent, but also a potential challenger to his throne. Murphy is on record saying he wants to put pressure on the 482-Test veteran, but rather than fret about the youngster’s threat, Lyon, 35, is relishing the Victorian’s rise.

Lyon describes his relationship with Todd Murphy as ‘very special’. Picture: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

“My relationship with Todd has been very special,” Lyon says of his Sydney Sixers and now Test teammate.

“From going down to Victoria training during the Covid bubble after Nic Maddinson asked me to go down to work with them.

“To be able to play cricket with him at the highest level. It's been pretty amazing to be honest and something that he should be very proud of. To meet his brother, his cousin, his uncle in his old man over in India and see the impact of their son playing Test cricket and me being able to be the one to hand over his baggy green, that was pretty special.

“And so to answer your question, is he the best I've seen? Yeah he probably is. I keep forgetting how young he is. He’s only 22, I think he was in year five when I debuted. That’s pretty scary.

“I don't want to look over my shoulder … No one is ever guaranteed a spot in the Australian cricket team, and nor should they be.

“And I think our relationship and us working together is helping me improve.”

Lyon took eight wickets in the second innings of the Third Test in India earlier in the year. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

While the bucket list item of a series win in India fell agonisingly out of touch this year, a World Test Championship title and away Ashes series win are sizeable carrots to keep Lyon hungry.

Lyon accepts the fruits of international sport have probably changed him to a degree, but he would like to think that at heart, he remains the same kid from Young.

“I feel like my story has a chance to inspire a lot of young boys and girls. Whether they’d make the under 16 Queensland country team or whatever it may be. And if they don’t do that, that feels like the world’s ending and all that. So I feel like my story is a chance to inspire young boys and girls.

“I hate talking about myself, if I’m being honest. I hope that most people would like to think that I'd pretty approachable to talk to. And I don’t see myself any different to anyone else and nor should we. All I do is bowl an off-break. And I’m very grateful for that.”

Originally published as In an otherwise incredible career, Nathan Lyon won’t reveal why he has played so few white-ball matches