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"Definitely Not": Nathan Lyon Clears Air On Test Retirement After Leaving Key Aussie Role

Soumyajit Dutta

Nathan Lyon passes on song duties [Source: @Boriskabeta/X.com]Nathan Lyon passes on song duties [Source: @Boriskabeta/X.com]

Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has symbolically passed the duty of leading the team's victory song to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. This transition, however, signifies a changing of roles, not the nearing end of Lyon's illustrious Test career.

Lyon, holding the song-master role longer than any other player for the song, Under The Southern Cross I Stand, since inheriting it in 2013, has no plans to retire. He remains focused on achieving significant team goals and adding to his remarkable wicket tally.

Nathan Lyon Reveals Reason Behind Passing On Song Duty

Speaking to ESPN, Lyon opened up on passing on the torch of the victory song while also sharing his thoughts on retiring from the longest format of cricket.

"I've been very honoured to first lead the song, but to have it for 12, 13 years, it's been one of the biggest highlights of my career. I've been thinking about it for a while now, but this definitely doesn't mean I'm retiring anytime soon. There's no talk about me retiring or even thoughts coming in my head," Lyon said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Reflecting on handing the song duties to Carey in Barbados, Nathan Lyon explained his choice.

"It's more about the team environment and making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love and the way he goes about it on and off the field. I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate. I feel like I ran my race with it and it's time for someone else to put their touch on it," Lyon added.

Lyon Super Ambitious For WTC 2027

Lyon's ambitions are firmly set on future campaigns, while he shares his desire to win away games and play in the World Test Championship final in 2027.

"I've always said I want to win away in India, and I want to win away in England. Obviously, we've got that opportunity in a couple of years' time, but we've also got to take it Test by Test and make sure we're doing everything here and getting the games here in West Indies right. Then we've got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But also, another World Test Championship final will be on my cards," Lyon revealed.

With Lyon aiming to play for several more years, major wicket milestones are within reach. He is on track to surpass 600 wickets and could potentially challenge Shane Warne's 708.