Nathan Lyon reveals Australian Test team's end goal

NEW DELHI: Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon believes Australia’s Test team is still on its path to achieving greatness in the longer format, emphasising that their ultimate goal remains ahead of them.
Australia started their tour of Sri Lanka with a dominant victory, securing an innings-and-242-run win in the series opener at Galle. This triumph followed their 3-1 Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory over India, further reinforcing their ambitions.
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"I was having a beer with Mitch Starc after the game, and we talked about it. I feel that this team is highly motivated. It’s all about our journey toward becoming a great team and making sure we seal a 2-0 series win. We aren’t there yet, but that’s our end goal," Lyon told reporters in Galle on Monday.

"We want to be recognized as a great team, and part of that journey involves ensuring that when we close a window, we nail it shut—we don’t let anyone back in. This is just my personal view, but we have some exceptional players in our dressing room.
"Look at Steve Smith, who just crossed 10,000 Test runs, and Starcy, who’s approaching his 100th Test. And it’s not just about the guys here. We have some incredible players back home, whether injured or on paternity leave. It’s a squad mentality, and that’s how it should be."
Lyon also acknowledged that Australia has yet to win the Ashes in England and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in India, targets they could aim for in 2027. "There are still key milestones for us to achieve. We have an outstanding group of players, and there’s no reason to hide from that reality."
Discussing his experiences bowling alongside fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy and left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, Lyon expressed confidence in their potential.
"We’re doing well, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. It’s about being ruthless. We’re three different bowlers with distinct styles and mindsets. I’m learning from Todd and Matt just as they are learning from me, and they push me to keep improving. Hopefully, I’m passing on some knowledge along the way."
Having taken seven wickets in Galle, Lyon also shared an update on his lingering left hip injury, which he sustained during the home summer.
"I still feel some pain, but I didn’t have to land on it today, so it’s all good. Apparently, I tore the deep tissue off the fascia—whatever that means. There was some excess blood in there. Not ideal, but it’s all good now," he concluded.
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