Nathan Lyon: Australia spinner on Ashes, Bazball, Lord’s and Lancashire

There was a time when Australian cricketers would pop over to the UK every four years and hand out an Ashes walloping without breaking sweat.

Lyon, along with the likes of Warner, Cummins, Starc, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin and Shane Watson are now among a generation of highly successful Aussies that have never outright won the urn in the UK.

For Lyon, the calf injury of 2023 came after a 2019 when his fumbled run-out of Jack Leach probably cost his side a series win.

“I have been part of two teams that retained the Ashes here, let’s not forget about that,” he points out. “But, yeah, 100% the bucket-list dreams for me are to win Test series here and in India.”

In Australia, it’s a different story. In three series, Lyon is 13-0 up on England, who travel down under at the end of 2025 for what is likely to be the finale of the Ben Stokes and McCullum regime.

“I haven’t really thought about that Ashes series,” says Lyon. “We’ve got India at home this year and that is one of the biggest series you can be involved in.

“Then again, 18 months doesn’t seem that far away. It’s going to be special.”

The last time they saw him, he was a wounded animal. Next time, England will be in the Lyon’s den.