Nathan Lyon eyeing 2027 Ashes after inspiration from NRL and AFL stars

Nathan Lyon collapsed into a “dark” depression after being sidelined by a torn calf. After being pulled out of his funk, the Australian great has his sights firmly set on 500 Test wickets.

Nathan Lyon has credited an unlikely inspiration for pulling him out of his post-Ashes funk and super-charging his motivation to get to 500 Test wickets and beyond.

The champion off-spinner admits he collapsed into a “dark” depression after tearing his calf in the second Test at Lord’s, forced to watch Australia slide towards another drawn series from his couch and convinced that his presence would have been the difference.

“It sounds arrogant, but I’m extremely confident in my skillset,” Lyon says in an exclusive video package where he re-watches his rollercoaster two Ashes Tests for the first time.

“I feel like if I was there for the remainder of that Test series, I feel like the results would have been totally different.”

As Lyon prepares to finally return to the Test team against Pakistan in Perth after the physical and mental anguish of his recovery, the 36-year-old admits he struggled to cope as Australia capitulated from 2-0 up without him.

“I was able to watch it. Was I a very good person to be around while I was watching it? Probably not,” Lyon says.

“It’s the darkest I’ve been mentally, especially in and around sport and cricket.”

Nathan Lyon was left shattered when a calf injury ended his Ashes campaign. Picture: Ian Kington/AFP

Lyon said he couldn’t help but have negative thoughts about what the injury might mean for his career, after his calf tear left him stranded just four wickets short of the 500-Test wicket milestone he was destined to eclipse in what was his 100th consecutive Test at Lord’s.

However, a turning point came for Lyon watching the AFL and NRL grand finals at home with his wife, Emma.

Watching namesake Nathan Cleary conjure the Penrith Panthers’ miracle comeback over Brisbane suddenly gave Lyon the shot in the arm to completely recalibrate his goals and set a target to make it back to England for an epic comeback in the 2027 Ashes when he will be aged 40.

“It was actually watching the AFL grand final, watching Collingwood win, and then watching the league grand final the next day and watching Nathan Cleary doing what he did in that game,” Lyon said.

“I remember sitting at home and I said to Em, ‘I’m not ready to give this up. This is why you play the game.’

“To see the adrenaline that goes through the guys’ body, but then you also see the effect of losing a grand final or a big game.

“It reset some goals and made me hungrier than ever to get back and play cricket for Australia.”

Nathan Cleary’s performance in the Panthers’ comeback win in the NRL grand final inspired Nathan Lyon. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Despite being ribbed by teammates that he’s only actually played 99 and a half consecutive Tests, Lyon said in the fullness of time he’s come to appreciate he’s been lucky – not unlucky – to get through his entire career to that point without injury.

Lyon has done an extensive rehabilitation after the Ashes and is now ready to nail down 500 Test wickets in Perth.

“Five hundred Test wickets, it’s pretty massive milestone. If you look at the guys who have taken over 500 Test match wickets it’s a pretty amazing list,” Lyon said.

“But I’m not there yet. It’s a big summer ahead.”

After 500, Lyon will then have the likes of Courtney Walsh (519) and Glenn McGrath (563) in his sights.

Is Shane Warne’s 708 Test wickets out of the question? Only time will tell.