Australia skipper Pat Cummins heaped praise on off-spinner Nathan Lyon ahead of the second Test of Ashes 2023 at Lord’s, calling his longevity and form remarkable. Cummins stated, “It’s a testament to not only how good Nath is in terms of longevity and fitness and form, but to be able to play 100 Tests means you’re getting picked in all conditions.”

Reflecting on Lyon’s value to the team, Cummins expressed, “I know at the start of his career, you’d talk about (possibly playing) four quicks at the Gabba but he’s just so valuable to our team that I couldn’t imagine a side without Nath in there.”

Lyon’s impressive career statistics speak for themselves, as Cummins highlighted, “He has managed to find a way into the playing XI even in unfavourable conditions such as the Gabba.” Lyon has taken 495 wickets in 121 matches, with an average of 30.99. He ranks as the third-highest wicket-taker in Australia’s history, behind Glenn McGrath (563) and Shane Warne (708). Follow your favourite cricket team with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.

Furthermore, Cummins acknowledged Lyon’s recent success in the World Test Championship, stating, “He was the leading wicket-taker in the World Test Championship cycle 2021-23 with 88 wickets to his name from 20 matches.”

In the first Test of Ashes 2023, Lyon delivered an exceptional performance, capturing eight wickets. Cummins praised his contributions, stating, “I couldn’t imagine a side without Nath in there.”

Lyon’s Test debut was a memorable one, as Cummins recalled, “He picked the wicket of the legendary Sri Lankan batter Kumar Sangakkara on his very first delivery in the format.” Lyon’s debut innings resulted in an outstanding five-wicket haul (5/34), ultimately leading Australia to a 125-run victory.

Highlighting Lyon’s impact in the Ashes series, Cummins said, “Lyon has scalped 109 wickets in the Ashes so far and finds himself in the list of top 15 highest wicket-takers in the series history.” He expressed Lyon’s eagerness to add more wickets to his tally and lead Australia to an Ashes series win in England after 22 years.

As the second Test approaches, Lyon’s exceptional fitness, skill, and unmatched record as a spinner make him an invaluable asset for the Australian team. Cummins emphasized his adaptability to different conditions and consistent high-level performance, solidifying his status as one of the greatest spin bowlers in cricket history. Get the latest updates from the world of cricket only on Nextbet Sports.