Ashes 2023: Nathan Lyon floats playing until late 30s, 2027 tour of England

Nathan Lyon says he could tour England in four years in the clearest sign yet he can finish his career as Australia’s greatest Test wicket-taker. Plus, his advice for Todd Murphy.

Nathan Lyon has left the door ajar to play on well into his 30s. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Australia’s tireless spinner Nathan Lyon could make a shock appearance back in England in four years’ time and break a slew of major records along the way.

Even if Australia make history and win the Ashes series at Old Trafford this week, Lyon admits a tiny part of himself will still feel like there’s unfinished business after tearing his calf at Lord’s and being ruled out for the rest of the series.

But the unfortunate injury is only the first of Lyon’s entire 122-Test career and remains open to the possibility of trying to forge on and become Australia’s Jimmy Anderson, still playing top level cricket in reach of his 40th birthday.

Nathan Lyon is keen to renew hostilities with England again in 2027. Picture:

If he does, Lyon – currently on 496 Test wickets – could break dozens more records, including Shane Warne’s mark of 708 Test victims, the most wickets ever by an Australian.

“I would never write it off,” Lyon told Code Sports.

“Obviously my biggest dream as a professional cricketer was to win a series in India and also win the Ashes in England.

“I know hopefully the boys can get the job done in Manchester, but obviously not being a part of it for the last three Test matches does leave a little dint in that dream.

“ … It’s something I wouldn’t write off if fit and if I’m still loving the game and still looking to get better each and every day. There’s no reason why I couldn’t go that long.”

Lyon chats to understudy Todd Murphy at Lords. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

Despite Lyon’s modesty, there is no doubt he will go down as an instrumental part of Ashes history if Australia does manage to break its 20-year drought and win the series in Manchester.

Lyon was on track to be player of the series following his key role with bat and ball in the first Test, and the courageous runs he added at Lord’s despite literally hobbling on one leg.

Whether or not Lyon makes it to a fifth Ashes tour in 2027 aged 39, the off-spinning great is not even thinking about retirement and has declared he is a certainty to be fit for the first Test of the summer against Pakistan.

“Obviously I haven’t put a number or a year or a series on what I want to achieve or where I’d like to get to,” Lyon said.

“I love playing cricket for Australia. I love playing my role and unfortunately this is my first injury within the game but you look at it the other way – I’ve been extremely lucky for the last 12-13 years to be a part of the Australian cricket team and, until last week, be part of the last 126 Test matches.

Nathan Lyon on crutches after suffering a calf injury. Picture: Ian Kington/AFP.

“I feel like I’ve still got a lot to offer. I still feel like I’ve got a lot to learn … I feel like I’ve got a lot of cricket left in me and I’m looking forward to that challenge, that’s for sure.”

Lyon on Tuesday had a bowling session with young NSW spinner Joel Davies in Sydney – indicative not only of the 35-year-old’s insatiable love for the game, but his dedication to helping Australian cricket as a whole.

The man they call The Goat has also been mentoring Australian spinner Todd Murphy, and spoke to his replacement in the days’ after Australia’s disappointing loss at Headingley.

“Yeah I did reach out just to see how he’s going. To see how he enjoyed his first Ashes Test and especially with the hype and the theatre around the Ashes, it seems to be getting bigger and bigger each and every series,” Lyon said.

“He seemed to be in a really decent spot.

“Even when I did blow my calf we sat down and in the change room at Lord’s and had a really good conversation about spin bowling in general and Todd’s really clear on his skillset but also what role he’s going to have to play in the back end of the Ashes.

“Am I confident in Todd? Yeah, 100 per cent. I think he’s definitely got the skillset to be effective, that’s for sure.”