Nathan Lyon recalls lessons from Ponting, Hussey on Test debut
What's the story
Australian cricket team's legendary spinner Nathan Lyon recently became the third player from his nation to take 550 Test wickets.
He achieved the milestone during the second Test match against Sri Lanka on Saturday.
Notably, Lyon's debut and this record both happened at Galle in 2011 and now respectively.
He got Dinesh Chandimal out in Sri Lanka's second innings to achieve the feat, ending Day 3 with figures worth 3/80.
Career guidance
Lyon shares advice from Ponting and Hussey
Lyon credits his success to the guidance he received from Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey, two legends of Australian cricket.
The advice came during his debut match at Galle in 2011, a moment he fondly recalls.
"I was pretty raw, I didn't really know what I was doing," Lyon admitted after day three against Sri Lanka.
"I just remember Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey just came up and said, 'Have a bit of fun, trust your skill and bowl your best ball.'"
Upcoming challenges
Lyon's journey toward McGrath's record
Lyon now has the opportunity to go past Glenn McGrath, who is second on Australia's all-time wicket-taker list.
Meanwhile, he is 12 wickets shy this year to surpass the legendary pacer.
His next challenges include playing for Australia in the ICC Test Championship Final against South Africa in June and possibly his last Ashes series when England tours Australia later this year.
Career reflections
Lyon reflects on his journey and future goals
Despite his phenomenal record, Lyon stays grounded.
"I hate talking about it but it is something I'm extremely proud about," he said.
The 37-year-old spinner, who has been Australia's go-to man for the last 14 years, admitted he never thought he would take this many wickets for his country.
"When I debuted 14 years ago or whatever it was, I didn't think I'd take 550 wickets. To pick up that one here is very special."
Elite club
Seventh bowler with this feat
Lyon became the second off-spinner to complete 550 wickets in Test cricket.
Overall, he has become the seventh bowler to achieve this feat.
Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran (800), Australia's Shane Warne (708) England's James Anderson (704), India's Anil Kumble (619), England's Stuart Broad (604), and Australia's Glenn McGrath (563) have more Test wickets than Lyon.
Stats
Breaking down Lyon's numbers in Tests
The veteran spinner has now raced to 552 scalps from 136 Test matches at 30-plus. He has 24 fifers in the format (10WM: 5).
Meanwhile, the series opener also saw Lyon complete 50 Test wickets against Sri Lanka (now 59 at 32-plus).
While 268 of his wickets have come in home Tests at 31.08, he owns 260-plus away scalps at 28-plus.
His remaining 20 wickets have come at neutral venues.