Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, aged 37, has expressed his desire to continue playing Test cricket, particularly aiming for an away series victory in India before retirement, while also announcing he has handed over his role as team song-master to Alex Carey following Australia’s recent win against West Indies.Lyon, Australia’s most successful off-spinner with 556 wickets in 138 Tests, has claimed 130 wickets against India in 32 Tests but is yet to be part of a winning Australian team in India since their 2004-05 triumph.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“I’ve always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England,” Lyon shared. “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 that we’re doing everything here in West Indies right. Then we’ve got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure.”Lyon has stepped down from his role as the team’s song-master, passing the responsibility to wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who led the celebrations after their 159-run victory over West Indies in the first Test.The tradition of singing “Underneath the Southern Cross” after every victory was initiated by Rod Marsh and was passed to Lyon by Michael Hussey. Lyon led the celebrations in 67 wins from 125 matches.“I’ve been very honoured to firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it’s been one of the biggest highlights of my career,” Lyon stated. “It definitely doesn’t mean I’m retiring anytime soon. It’s more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love in the way he goes about it on and off the field and I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate.“
“I ran my race with it, and it’s time for someone else to put their touch on it. I’ve loved having the privilege to lead the team song but now I can sit back and hopefully enjoy a few wins and just relax and take it all in,” Lyon added.Australia are set to face West Indies in the second Test beginning Wednesday at St George’s, Grenada.
