Nathan Lyon on Sunday (March 3) joined elite company as the Australian off-spinner equalled the record held by spin-bowling greats Shane Warne and Muttiah Muraliatharan for claiming five wicket hauls in most number of Test host countries.
The 36-year-old, who claimed his 24th fifer in Test, took his first five-wicket haul in New Zealand, which happens to be in a ninth Test host country, where he has taken five wickets in an innings, a feat only achieved by Warne and Muralitharan so far in the longest format.
His victims in the 6 for 65 figures were Kane Williamson, Tom Latham, Rachin Ravindra, Tom Blundell, Glenn Phillips and Kiwis skipper Tim Southee. Apart from Warne, Muralitharan and Lyon, three pace greats have taken fifers in 8 Test host countries.
With his latest figures in Wellington, Lyon has now claimed five-wicket hauls in Sri Lanka, West Indies, India, Australia, South Africa, Bangladesh, England, Pakistan and New Zealand. Here is a look at the players with five-wicket hauls in most Test host countries:
Fifers in most Test host countries
- 9 – Nathan Lyon, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan
- 8 – Dale Steyn, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis
- 6 – Richard Hadlee Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Glenn McGrath, James Anderson, Rangana Herath
With the 6-for in the fourth innings, Lyon also became the first spinner since Muralitharan and Daniel Vettori to take 10 plus wickets in a Test match in New Zealand. Muralitharan and Vettori had achieved the feat in 2006.
Earlier in the Wellington Test, Glenn Phillips had given New Zealand hope with his first five wicket haul, which helped bowl out Australia for 164. However, Australia had claimed a big lead, having bowled out the Kiwis for 179 in their first innings, in which Lyon took four wickets.
Australia rode on Cameron Green’s 174 to score 383 in their first innings. The all-rounder was awarded the player of the match for his contribution with the bat in tough conditions for batters.
New Zealand will look to bounce back and level the series when they host Australia in the second and final Test at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch from Friday (March 8).