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Nathan Lyon's defiant innings fails to free him from unwanted piece of cricket history

The Aussie spinner holds the record for the most Test runs without scoring a 50.

Ben Talintyre
·Sports Reporter
·3-min read
Pictured: Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon fell agonisingly short of his maiden Test half-century on day three, which means his record of scoring the most Test runs without a 50 continues. Image: Getty

Nathan Lyon has fallen agonisingly short of a maiden Test half-century on day three of Australia's first Test against New Zealand. The Aussies called Lyon to the crease as a nightwatchman after they lost both Steve Smith (0) and Marnus Labuschagne (2) at the end of day two.

Lyon rode his luck early and was dropped by Tim Southee at second slip on the last ball of the day. Heading to the crease on day three, the spinner was aggressive from the outset, at one point cracking three consecutive boundaries.

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But his innings ended on 41 after flicking a Matt Henry delivery to mid-wicket, falling six runs short of his high score of 47. After being dismissed again in the 40s, Lyon continues to hold the unwanted record of scoring the most runs in Test cricket without ever reaching a half-century.

The 36-year-old has scored 1501 Test runs but raising his bat has eluded him, with his high score of 47 coming against South Africa in Cape Town in 2018. Lyon has scored over 300 runs more than second on the list, Kemar Roach, and looks set to hold onto the unwanted slice of history for the foreseeable future.

Josh Hazlewood breaks Glenn McGrath record

While Lyon failed to free himself from the unwanted record, Josh Hazlewood batted his way into Australian cricket history alongside Cameron Green, by bringing up Australia's highest tenth-wicket Test partnership in New Zealand on day two. The Aussie quick began tentatively but gradually became more comfortable at the crease throughout his measured innings.

The bowler's dogged stand with Green saw the pair also register the fourth-highest overall tenth-wicket Test partnership (116 runs). Hazlewood's score of 22 also saw him overtake legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath's record for a No.11 in New Zealand.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - MARCH 01: Cameron Green of Australia celebrates his 150 with Josh Hazlewood during day two of the First Test in the series between New Zealand and Australia at Basin Reserve on March 01, 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)
Josh Hazlewood batted his way into Australian cricket history alongside Cameron Green, with the pair scoring Australia's highest tenth-wicket Test partnership in New Zealand on day two of the first Test. Image: Getty (Hagen Hopkins via Getty Images)

The Aussie fast bowler played his role brilliantly, allowing Green to power to 150 in the first session after smacking a whopping six to reach the milestone. Hazlewood more or less left the flashy shot-making to his partner but did make the most of some loose Will O'Rourke bowling, hitting him for two boundaries in one over.

Nathan Lyon shakes off injury fears

Lyon confirmed he has bruising to his hip after copping a whack late on day two but insisted it won't hinder him for the remainder of the first Test. Fox Cricket commentator Brendon Julian reported that Lyon was "okay" and suggested the spinner's ginger approach at the end of day two was more to slow the match down as the hosts gained momentum. There was concern over a hip flexor injury for Lyon but it appears as though it was just an impact injury.

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