Nathan Lyon is expected to join James Anderson at Lancashire next year, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Australian spinner continues to play Test cricket into his 40s like his new county teammate. Lyon is just five wickets away from becoming the eighth player in Test cricket history to reach the 500 milestone. Despite turning 36 recently, there’s no reason why he can’t play for another four or five years. His recent injury at Lord’s during the Ashes could motivate him for another trip to the UK in 2027.
Anderson has managed to prolong his Test career past his 41st birthday, and while Lyon’s work as an off-spinner is not to be underestimated, the English seamer has had a longer professional career. In a similar vein, Glenn Maxwell could potentially continue in the T20 arena, being a fixture in Australia’s T20 and potentially the one-day squad as well. The selectors need to be strategic in allowing players like Lyon and Maxwell to go beyond their 30s if their form warrants it in their favored formats.
Despite the need for refresh in Australia’s aging teams, players like Lyon and Maxwell could continue their careers if their form continues to be strong. Modern examples of athletes dominating past their 40th birthday include NFL star Tom Brady and NBA player LeBron James. The selectors need to avoid a scenario where veterans continue past their use-by date, and an inexperienced cohort of new players is introduced.
Lyon is arguably the best Test spinner in the world, alongside Ravichandran Ashwin and continues to perform at a high level. As for the young players in the spin arena, Todd Murphy and Tanveer Sangha are both under 25 and still very young in their careers as spinners. While Sangha has been in India for the World Cup as a reserve, Murphy has been playing at Shield level and both show potential.
In terms of the contenders for Lyon’s position as a spinner, it is unlikely that another spinner will be needed until 2025. Lyon has always been durable, and his recent injury is a rare occurrence. There is a possibility that Lyon could continue to perform at the same level for at least another five years.
Many Australian spinners, including Colin Miller, Bob Holland, and Bert Ironmonger, have continued to play at the highest level well into their 30s and even into their 40s. It’s hard to predict if Lyon will last that long, but it certainly is a possibility.