Nathan Lyon and wife confirm secret personal news after historic 500th Test wicket

Nathan Lyon and wife Emma have confirmed months-long rumours that they recently had a baby without announcing the pregnancy or birth publicly. On Sunday, Lyon became just the eighth player in Test cricket history to take 500 wickets as Australia thrashed Pakistan by 360 runs in Perth.

The off-spinner claimed match figures of 5-80 in a brilliant return to the Test arena after a calf injury suffered in the Ashes series earlier this year sidelined him for months. Speaking to Channel 7 after the match, Lyon's wife Emma opened up on the big year her husband has had - and announced for the first time publicly that they recently welcomed their first child together.

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Emma's pregnancy was never announced publicly, but photos emerged in recent months of the happy couple holding a newborn baby. When asked by Trent Copeland about the last 12 months, Emma said: "I don't know, we've had a baby, it's just a lot. Rehab, the Ashes, India. It's been non-stop. So to have him home for a couple of months was really lovely, but not on those terms, but just to see him throughout today is just amazing."

In a separate interview with Lyon, Channel 7's Mel McLachlan said: “You talk about your wife and I bumped into you at the SCG a couple of weeks ago and you were absolutely smitten with a new baby. You couldn’t gush about her enough, you’re madly in love. Beautiful stuff in terms of the family side.”

Emma is Lyon's second wife after he had daughters Harper and Milla with his ex Mel. The 36-year-old Lyon said of his family dynamic: “Life’s very happy at the moment. I am absolutely smitten. That’s the joy of being a parent I guess. All you try and do is make them proud and happy and hopefully one day when they grow up and see what dad’s been able to do they’ll be pretty happy.

“One of my biggest weapons is the amount of love and support I’ve got from all my family. They’re my biggest supporters. You see that reaction there, that speaks volumes. I can’t do what I do without those guys.”

Nathan Lyon's nerves before successful return to Test cricket

Emma said her husband is "very down to earth" at home and "loves nothing more than walking the dog every morning, every night. Barbecue in the backyard. Life is just very simple at home with the kids."

Emma also revealed the nerves that Lyon had behind closed doors before he made his return following the injury that saw him miss the final three Tests of the Ashes. "A lot of nerves behind closed doors just hoping that the body holds up and everything pays off," she said. "So just a relief and so lovely to spend this week with my family, his brother's here as well so very special for all of us.

"I think there has been a bit more nervousness around this game about the rehab, about the calf about the body. Will it all hold up? Will he be able to perform the way he always has? I think it is more a relief more than anything, but I think he'll celebrate now for sure."

Lyon has now taken 501 wickets at an average of 30.85 across 123 Tests. And the 36-year-old has no plans to call it quits anytime soon, reiterating his plans to play on until at least the next Ashes series in England in 2027.

"It's something I'm very proud about," he said after becoming the third Australian behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath to join the 500-Test wicket club.

"I know it's been a journey, that's for sure. I was probably a good 40-odd Test matches into my Test career before I felt like I belonged at Test cricket and I knew how to perform at that level."

Most wickets in Test cricket history (as of December 18):

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) - 800

2. Shane Warne (AUS) - 708

3. Jimmy Anderson (ENG) - 690 (still playing)

4. Anil Kumble (IND) - 619

5. Stuart Broad (ENG) - 604

6. Glenn McGrath (AUS) - 563

7. Courtney Walsh (WI) - 516

8. Nathan Lyon (AUS) - 501 (still playing)

9. Ravi Ashwin (IND) - 489 (still playing)

10. Dale Steyn (SA) - 439

with AAP

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