Nathan Lyon’s journey isn’t your typical cricket star story. While most international cricketers follow a predictable path through junior cricket and state academies, Lyon’s journey reads like something out of a feel-good sports movie. From tending to the pitch at Adelaide Oval to becoming Australia’s premier spinner, his story proves that sometimes the most unconventional routes lead to extraordinary destinations.
Biography
| Personal Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nathan Michael Lyon |
| Date of Birth | 20 November 1987 |
| Age | 37 years old |
| Birthplace | Young, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (181 cm) |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right-arm off-break |
| Role | Bowler |
| Jersey Number | 67 |
| Spouse | Emma McCarthy |
Height and Physical Attributes
Standing at 5 feet 11 inches (181 cm), Lyon possesses the ideal height for a spinner. It’s not too tall to lose control, yet sufficient to extract bounce from most pitches. His height allows him to get good overspin on the ball, which is crucial for his off-break bowling style.
Age and Early Life
Born on 20 November 1987, Nathan Lyon is currently 37 years old. He hails from Young, a small town in New South Wales, Australia – a place more famous for its cherries than cricket legends. Growing up in Young shaped Lyon’s grounded personality and work ethic, traits that would prove invaluable in his cricket career.
Young isn’t exactly a cricket hotbed. With a population of around 7,000 people, it’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. Lyon’s hometown experience taught him humility and determination – qualities that shine through in his approach to cricket.
Similar: Kuldeep Yadav Biography
Education and Early Career Path
Lyon’s educational journey was refreshingly different from the usual cricket pathway:
- Primary Education: Lake Albert Public School
- Secondary Education: Wagga Wagga High School
- Professional Training: Australian Apprenticeship in Horticulture (Turf) at Manuka Oval in Canberra
After completing his education, Lyon worked as a groundskeeper at Adelaide Oval. This isn’t just a fun fact – it’s crucial to understanding his cricket intelligence. Working on cricket pitches day in, day out gave him an intimate understanding of how surfaces behave, knowledge that would later become his secret weapon.
International Debuts
Test Debut
- Date: 31 August 2011
- Opposition: Sri Lanka Cricket Team
- Cap Number: 421
ODI Debut
- Date: 8 March 2012
- Opposition: Sri Lanka Cricket Team
- Cap Number: 194
T20I Debut
- Date: 29 January 2016
- Opposition: India Cricket Team
- Cap Number: 77
Jersey Number 67
Lyon wears jersey number 67 across all formats. This number has become synonymous with his identity in Australian cricket. Whether it’s his Test whites, ODI blues, or T20I colors, that 67 on his back has become a symbol of consistent excellence.
Career Stats Across Formats
Test Cricket Statistics
- Matches: 139
- Wickets: 562
- Best Bowling Figures: 8/50
- Best Match Figures: 13/154
- Average: 30.14
- Economy Rate: 2.94
- Strike Rate: 61.3
- Five-wicket hauls: 24
- Ten-wicket hauls: 5
ODI Statistics
- Matches: 29
- Wickets: 29
- Best Bowling: 4/44
- Average: 46.00
- Economy Rate: 4.92
T20I Statistics
- Matches: 2
- Wickets: 1
- Best Bowling: 1/33
- Average: 48.00
- Economy Rate: 9.60
First-Class Career
- Matches: 232
- Wickets: 843
- Best Bowling: 8/50
- Average: 32.14
All stats updated till 10th July 2025.
Domestic & Franchise Career
| Years | Team |
|---|---|
| 2008/09-2010/11 | ACT Comets |
| 2010/11-2012/13 | South Australia |
| 2011/12-2012/13 | Adelaide Strikers |
| 2013/14-present | New South Wales |
| 2013/14-2022/23 | Sydney Sixers |
| 2017 | Worcestershire |
| 2024 | Lancashire |
Career Highlights
- 562 Test wickets – making him Australia’s leading off-spinner
- 24 five-wicket hauls in Test cricket
- 5 ten-wicket match hauls – the ultimate spinner’s achievement
- 13/154 against India – his best match figures
- 8/50 against India – his best innings figures
- Consistent performer across home and away conditions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Nathan Lyon’s height?
A: Nathan Lyon stands 5 feet 11 inches (181 cm) tall.
Q: How old is Nathan Lyon?
A: Nathan Lyon is 37 years old, born on 20 November 1987.
Q: Where is Nathan Lyon’s hometown?
A: Nathan Lyon is from Young, New South Wales, Australia.
Q: What is Nathan Lyon’s educational background?
A: He attended Lake Albert Public School and Wagga Wagga High School, then completed an Australian Apprenticeship in Horticulture (Turf) at Manuka Oval.
Q: When did Nathan Lyon make his international debuts?
A: Test debut: 31 August 2011 vs Sri Lanka; ODI debut: 8 March 2012 vs Sri Lanka; T20I debut: 29 January 2016 vs India.
Q: What jersey number does Nathan Lyon wear?
A: Nathan Lyon wears jersey number 67 across all formats.
Q: What are Nathan Lyon’s career statistics?
A: In Tests: 562 wickets in 139 matches with an average of 30.14. In ODIs: 29 wickets in 29 matches with an average of 46.00.
Q: How did Nathan Lyon become a cricketer?
A: He worked as a groundskeeper at Adelaide Oval before being spotted and given opportunities in domestic cricket, eventually earning his Australian call-up.