Advertisement
Former cricketer Darren Berry expressed his belief that Nathan Lyon, despite entering the esteemed 500 Test wickets club, possesses the capability to achieve even more in Test cricket, affirming that “there’s plenty of petrol still left in his tank.”
In the recent Perth Test against Pakistan, Lyon, who made his Test debut in 2011, marked a historic milestone as the third Australian and eighth bowler worldwide to secure over 500 Test wickets. Berry, serving as the South Australia head coach, vividly recalled being the individual who first identified Lyon’s talent during his tenure at Adelaide Oval as a member of the ground staff.
Darren Berry on Lyon
Advertisement
Reflecting on Lyon’s journey, Berry shared, “The story is not just because it was Nathan Lyon and I was the coach. It was an opportunity; all I provided was an opportunity for this kid, and he’s taken it and run with it.”
Recalling the initial encounter with Lyon, Berry mentioned being urged by former Australia batter Callum Ferguson, who played against Lyon in grade cricket, to take notice of the off-spinner while he was working on the ground. This led Berry to observe Lyon’s bowling during a practice session, where he immediately recognized the off-spinner’s remarkable talent.
Describing Lyon’s unique skill, Berry expressed, “For an off-spinner to do it, it’s very different. They’re boring, they bowl ‘door knobs’ and everyone bowls them in the park. But this was special.”
Berry persisted in advocating for Lyon’s talent, convincing SA director of cricket Jamie Cox to consider Lyon despite his absence from the state squad. Their bold decision paid off when Lyon made his debut in the T20 team, marking the beginning of his remarkable journey in cricket.
The journey from being a groundsman rolling wickets at Adelaide Oval to becoming a celebrated figure in Australian cricket, Nathan Lyon’s story stands as a testament to both his talent and the astute recognition by Darren Berry, highlighting the power of opportunity in shaping sporting success.