Nathan Lyon
Credit: X/@Foxcricket
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon on Sunday became the eighth bowler to reach 500 Test wickets, holding the ball aloft after trapping Pakistan's Faheem Ashraf lbw to claim the milestone in his side's 360-run win in the series opener at Perth Stadium.
The 123-match veteran, affectionately nicknamed "The GOAT", further cemented his place among the "greatest of all time" during the third session to join Australia's Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) in the illustrious 500 club.
"I don't think it's hit me yet, but there's obviously been a lot of hard work go into the journey... It's pretty special to take 500 in my first Test back," Lyon, who took 3-66 and 2-14, told reporters.
After declaring at 233-5 after lunch on day four to set Pakistan 450 for victory, the hosts ripped through the tourists for 89 to take a 1-0 lead in the three match series, which continues in Melbourne on Dec. 26.
Australia's seamers were dominant in their outing on day four, reducing the visitors to 48-4 before tea, but it was Lyon's 28th over lbw review which brought the crowd to life.
"I was quietly confident it would hit leg ... (but with) reviews, you're always nervous," he said.
The crowd roared their approval when Hawk-Eye showed the ball hitting Ashraf's stumps, giving Lyon his 500th.
Lyon, who debuted for Australia in 2011 after enjoying a rapid rise domestically, entered the match on 496 wickets.
Playing on his mind, though, was the torn calf which left him sidelined for most of this year's drawn Ashes series in England.
"There was a fair amount of anxiety, I don't think I've ever cramped after 10 overs and I was cramping in both calves. But all in all, it's pulled up really well," he said.
Lyon had looked like reaching his milestone in Pakistan's first dig, but had to endure another wait when Travis Head, bowling from the other end, claimed the last wicket of tail-ender Shaheen Afridi.
"It's been a journey, that's for sure. I was probably a good 40-odd matches into my Test career before I felt like I belonged in Test cricket," he said.
The fan favourite established himself as Australia's premier spinner and filled the void left by Warne's 2007 retirement.
Retired Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan leads the Test wickets tally with 800, while venerable England paceman James Anderson is the most prolific active player with 690.