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'He's Got Another 4-5 Years'- Cummins Backs Lyon to Surpass Shane Warne's Wicket Tally

image-lqajot68Nathan Lyon reached the 500 Test wickets milestone vs Pakistan 

Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon etched his name in cricket history recently by becoming only the fourth spinner to claim 500 wickets in Test cricket. This significant milestone was achieved during the opening Test of the three-match series against Pakistan on Sunday, where Lyon secured a five-wicket haul.

Cummins believes Lyon can surpass Warne's wicket tally

Lyon, who now stands as the second spinner after the renowned Shane Warne, is also the third Australian bowler to reach this coveted landmark. His achievement has been met with high praise and optimistic projections for his future. 

After the end of the first Test, Australian captain Pat Cummins reflected on Lyon's potential and anticipated that the spinner could play for at least another four to five years, considering the frequency of ten matches per year.

Expressing confidence in Lyon's abilities, Cummins suggested that with an average of four to five wickets per game over the next 40 to 50 Test matches, Lyon could amass a total nearing 700 wickets.

"Still got another four or five years at least, with ten games a year. I still think you've got 40 or 50 Test matches, that's four or five years with 10 (matches) a year. Averaging four or five a game, so a couple of hundred (wickets) – that's 700," said Cummins.

The idea of reaching or even surpassing 700 wickets, or equalling the feats of the legendary Warne, was met with laughter from Lyon. However, interestingly, it was Warne himself who, during the 2019 Ashes, had envisioned this possibility for Lyon.

Speaking to cricket.com.au, Warne had calculated that with Lyon's potential to play an additional 85 to 90 Tests and maintain an average of four wickets per game, he could indeed surpass his record.

Warne, who holds the record for the most wickets taken by an Australian and ranks second in the history of cricket, just behind Muttiah Muralitharan, expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of someone breaking his record. He saw it as proof of sustained excellence and a significant contribution to Australian cricket.

"I think he (Lyon) is a chance. If you do the stats – if he plays another 85 or 90 Tests, and takes four wickets per game, that's 360 wickets – so he'll get me. I'd love to watch someone get my record, that would be fantastic because it would mean they've done bloody well for Australia for a long period of time," Warne had said.

Lyon, aged 36, has a challenging journey ahead to reach his 700th wicket in Test cricket, requiring 199 more wickets to achieve this feat.