Nathan Lyon has made it clear that stepping away from a long-held team tradition does not signal the end of his international career. The seasoned Australian off-spinner, who recently passed on the responsibility of leading the team’s post-victory anthem “Under The Southern Cross I Stand” to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, emphasised that retirement is not something he is even considering at this stage.
Despite having handed over the symbolic duty, Nathan Lyon remains fiercely ambitious. He has his eyes firmly set on some elusive milestones — winning a Test series in India and clinching an Ashes victory on English soil. Additionally, another World Test Championship final in 2027, which will also be held in England, is firmly on his radar. For Nathan Lyon, these goals are more than just dreams, they are motivations that continue to drive him forward in a career that already spans 13 years and 119 Tests.
Speaking to a sports channel, Nathan Lyon reflected on the honor of leading the team song since 2013, a tradition originally started by the legendary Rod Marsh and passed on to him by Mike Hussey when Nathan Lyon had just 18 Tests under his belt. He described leading the song as one of the major highlights of his career and said that he had been thinking for some time about the right moment to pass the responsibility on. However, he made it clear that this handover is purely ceremonial and should not be interpreted as a sign of winding down.
Alex Carey, now 41 Tests into his own career, was chosen by Nathan Lyon not just for his consistency on the field but for the way he conducts himself off the field as well. Nathan Lyon spoke warmly of the camaraderie and respect he shares with Alex Carey and explained that he felt it was time for someone new to shape the tradition with their own personality and leadership style.
Nathan Lyon’s current focus remains on the immediate challenges, including Australia’s ongoing series against West Indies, where the visitors lead by 1-0. Reflecting on his long journey with the team, he noted that only he and Mitchell Starc remain from the squad that toured the Caribbean in 2012. He recalled a moment of quiet reflection from earlier in the day, marveling at the time that has passed since that first visit and the work it has taken to stay at the top level for so long.
Through all these reflections and changes, one thing is evident — Nathan Lyon is not done yet. The fire still burns brightly and the spinner has every intention of chasing down those unfulfilled dreams before he even begins to consider the end.
