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Nathan Lyon's sledge for Pat Cummins as cricket fans call out detail in 500th wicket

The Aussie off-spinner was made to wait to find out he'd joined the 500-wicket club in Test cricket.

Nathan Lyon.
Nathan Lyon has to wait for a DRS review to achieve his 500th Test wicket. Image: Getty/Twitter

Nathan Lyon has cheekily quipped that Pat Cummins "didn't want to review" the decision that led to his 500th Test wicket, amid debate around the on-field umpire's actions at the time. Lyon took five wickets in the first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth - taking his career tally to 501.

He dismissed Faheem Ashraf lbw for the 500th wicket of his career, becoming just the eighth player and third Australian to achieve the momentous feat in Test cricket history. But the historic moment only came after the Aussies were forced to review the on-field decision of not out from umpire Richard Illingworth.

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Illingworth pondered over the decision for a number of seconds before eventually turning it down, but ball-tracking showed the ball was crashing into leg stump. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Lyon sent a cheeky sledge in the direction of his captain when he said: "Pat didn't want to review it."

Cummins shot back that Lyon should have been more vocal that he wanted it reviewed. "Nath was mumbling away and wasn't saying anything," the captain replied with a grin.

Lyon continued: "I was quietly confident that it would hit leg". Cummins then interjected: "Very quietly confident" as laughter broke out in the press room.

Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon after the first Test between Australia and Pakistan.
Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon speak to reporters after the first Test between Australia and Pakistan. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Despite the funny scenario that unfolded, cricket fans were left bemoaning the fact that a DRS review proved a massive anti-climax to such a momentous achievement. One fan compared it to when Roger Federer won the Australian Open in 2017 but had to wait to celebrate because Rafa Nadal reviewed the final call on the line.

But Lyon said he wasn't fussed. “I don’t care mate. I don’t care how it comes,” he said. “As I said, if I can play my role and enjoy it. It’s a pretty special moment, I have some family here which is even more special.”

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Lyon has joined Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) as the only other Australians in the 500-club in Test cricket. "(The milestone) is something I'm very proud about," he said.

"I don't think it's properly hit me yet. There's been a lot of hard work go into the journey. I've had a lot more bad days than good days. It was pretty special to be able to take 500 in the first Test back (from a calf injury in the Ashes)."

Nathan Lyon celebrates with teammates after finding out he'd taken his 500th Test wicket.
The moment Nathan Lyon found out he'd taken his 500th Test wicket after a review. (Photo by Will Russell - CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)

The 36-year-old has flagged his intentions to keep playing until at least the next Ashes series in England in 2027. If that eventuates he is odds-on to overtake McGrath, and could join Warne in the 700-club.

Cummins said: "I still think you've got, say 40, 50 Test matches. That's four or five years, 10 (Tests) a year. You probably average what? Four a game? That's another couple hundred - 700."

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

Most Test wickets by Australians:

  1. Shane Warne - 708

  2. Glenn McGrath - 563

  3. Nathan Lyon - 501 (still playing)

  4. Dennis Lillee - 355

  5. Mitchell Starc - 338

  6. Mitchell Johnson - 313

  7. Brett Lee - 310

  8. Craig McDermott - 291

  9. Jason Gillespie - 259

  10. Richie Benaud - 248

with AAP

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