By News18
St George鈥檚 (Grenada), Jul 1 (PTI) Australian spin great Nathan Lyon has no immediate plans of Test retirement as he yearns for one final away series win in India before calling time on his illustrious career.
The 37-year-old, who is the most successful off-spinner for Australia with 556 wickets in 138 Tests, has taken 130 wickets against India in 32 Tests (both home and away) but has never been a part of an away series win in India.
In fact, Australia have not beaten India in their backyard since their 鈥渇inal frontier鈥 triumph in 2004-05.
鈥淚鈥檝e always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England,鈥 Lyon was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got that opportunity in a couple of years鈥 time, but we鈥檝e also got to take it Test by Test and make sure that we鈥檙e doing everything here in West Indies right.
鈥淭hen we鈥檝e got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure,鈥 he added.
But Lyon has relinquished his duties in the Australian team as it鈥檚 song-master, passing on the baton to wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey, who fulfilled the duties during the dressing room celebrations after their 159-run win over the West Indies in the first Test.
The song, 鈥淯nderneath the Southern Cross鈥, is sung after every victory, led by the song master. This tradition, started by Rod Marsh, was passed on to Lyon by former Australia batter Michael Hussey.
In Tests, Lyon led the celebrations in 67 wins from 125 matches.
鈥淚鈥檝e been very honoured to firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it鈥檚 been one of the biggest highlights of my career,鈥 Lyon said.
鈥淚t definitely doesn鈥檛 mean I鈥檓 retiring anytime soon. It鈥檚 more about the team environment, making sure that I get the opportunity to pass it on to someone who I look at and absolutely love in the way he goes about it on and off the field and I just feel like Alex is the perfect candidate,鈥 he said.
Lyon said he now wants to sit back and 鈥渢ake it all in鈥.
鈥淚 ran my race with it, and it鈥檚 time for someone else to put their touch on it. I鈥檝e loved having the privilege to lead the team song but now I can sit back and hopefully enjoy a few wins and just relax and take it all in,鈥 he said.
Australia will take on the West Indies in the second Test starting here on Wednesday. PTI DDV PM DDV PM PM