Nathan Lyon to play 100th Test in Brisbane, but will family be able to attend?

They won’t be allowed to be at the SCG next week but Nathan Lyon is keeping his fingers crossed his family will be able to get into Queensland to watch his milestone match live.

Nathan Lyon will play his 100th Test in Brisbane at the Gabba. Picture: Michael Klein

Spin king Nathan Lyon is sweating on the Queensland border staying open for his parents and family to witness his most cherished milestone.

Lyon will become just the 13th Australian cricketer to play 100 Test matches during the last Test of the summer in Brisbane, and the all-time great is desperate for his family to be there with him.

Already, Queensland’s closure to Greater Sydney is set to lock out his brother, and close confidant, Brendan and now Lyon has his fingers crossed that Annastacia Palaszczuk doesn’t follow the reactive lead set by Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia and shut the border to regional NSW as well.

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Nathan Lyon hopes his brother Brendan can watch his milestone match.

The proud country boy’s father Steven and mother Bronwyn still live in his home town of Young and are currently in a NSW green zone and OK to travel north to Brisbane for the milestone Test starting on January 15.

It’s understood Lyon’s partner Emma, along with her family from Western Australia are also safe to cross the Queensland border as restrictions currently stand.

But the COVID-19 situation around the country is hanging on a knife’s edge, with not just Lyon, but the rest of the cricket summer engulfed in uncertainty.

Lyon told News Corp earlier this summer how important it was for him to have his family with him to celebrate an achievement he never thought possible.

“To have my family there. To have Emma and her family there. With Harper and Milla my two daughters and mum and dad and everyone,” said Lyon.

Lyon wants partner Emma and her family in the stands for his milestone match.

“One of my biggest goals this summer is to ensure everyone is there together for a decent celebration.

“It’s a pretty proud moment. More than a proud moment, really. It’s something I’ve spoken with only my family about. There’s only 12 Australian cricketers who have played over 100 Test matches and to be 13th to do that is pretty remarkable in my eyes. No way when I was a kid growing up did I think I’d play one Test match for Australia.

“To be on the cusp of 100 Test matches is pretty remarkable and something I’m really honoured about.”

Cricket Australia are having daily meetings with the Queensland Government about arrangements for players and families and no final decisions have been made on the exact terms of the quarantine conditions being put in place.

However, it’s likely Lyon may not be allowed to have any interaction with his family in Brisbane even if they do make it up.

Will Nathan’s parents Stephen and Bronwyn Lyon be able to watch their son’s 100th Test?

Lyon will have a cohort of family and friends from Young and the ACT who may also make the journey north if Queensland stays open to regional NSW.

Heading into the third Test against India, Lyon is also only six wickets away from entering cricket’s exclusive 400-Test wicket club, but his mum and dad and anyone else from the country who wants to be there for his 100th Test won’t be able to attend the SCG next week.

Cricket Australia’s bio-secure hubs have been well received on the most part by players, with not one player withdrawing due to mental health issues across all competitions.

However, Marnus Labuschagne admits the absence of family has not been easy.

“We’ve certainly spoken about it a little bit. For the guys who haven’t seen families over Christmas it’s definitely quite tough,” he said.

Lyon is sweating on Queensland’s border controls. Picture: AFP

“That’s the situation we’re in as professional cricketers currently. That’s what the game is demanding from the players currently and we’ve got to keep our eyes focused. It’s not a long-term thing, it’s a short-term thing.”

The Victorian Government has been slammed for its brutal border closer to wider NSW.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended the right of states to make calls on their own borders, but also threw his weight behind the Sydney Test, following fierce criticism of the NSW Government’s steadfast position that a 50 per cent capacity crowd can be safely accommodated at the SCG despite the current outbreak.

“I have great confidence in decisions the NSW Government are making in relation to these matters and they’ll be following the medical advice,” he said.

Originally published as Nathan Lyon to play 100th Test in Brisbane, but will family be able to attend?