Nathan Lyon has indicated he has no intention of retiring anytime soon, despite recently relinquishing his longtime position as being in charge of Australia’s post-victory team song. That task now falls to Test keeper Alex Carey.
Lyon, inheriting the tradition from Mike Hussey, has guided the stirring version of Under the Southern Cross I Stand 67 times across more than a decade in the Australian Test team. At 37 now, the veteran spinner felt it was the appropriate time for someone else to take over and put their own stamp on the side’s culture with Carey picked as his successor.
Carey initially assumed responsibility for the team song during the 2023 Ashes series when Lyon was injured with a calf strain at Lord’s. Nonetheless, since Australia was not able to obtain another Test win in that series, Carey only got a chance to conduct the ritual.
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Lyon announced he had originally planned to hand over the baton following the World Test Championship final but ended up waiting until the West Indies tour to formally tell Carey. He took time to remind the keeper of the importance of the tradition and the heritage involved.
Although taking a step back from this symbolic leadership role, Lyon stressed that his playing career is not yet done. With 138 Tests already played, the veteran off-spinner feels he has unfinished business in cricket including personal ambitions he still has to fulfill.
“I’ve been very honoured to firstly, lead the song, but to have it for 12 years, it’s been one of the biggest highlights of my career,” Lyon said ahead of the the 2nd Test in Grenada against West Indies
“It definitely doesn’t mean I’m retiring anytime soon.” as quoted by The Australian
“It’s 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.
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“I ran my race with it, and it’s time for someone else to put their touch on it.
“I’ve 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.”
“I went up to his room the second night (of the first Test against West Indies),” Lyon explained.
“I wrote him a little hand(written) letter … and spoke to him about the reasons why I’ve come to the decision.
“He was pretty taken aback by it, but it was pretty cool little moment.”
“I’ve always said I want to win away in India. I want to win away in England,” Lyon said.
“We’ve got that opportunity in a couple years’ time, but we’ve also got to take it Test by Test and make sure that we’re doing everything here … in the West Indies right.
“Then we’ve got a massive summer at home with the Ashes.
“But another World Test Championship final would be on my cards for sure.”
