Not many international cricketers started their career as a pitch curator, but Nathan Lyon did. The off-spinner from Adelaide has become Australia’s most successful tweaker after Shane Warne, with over 530 Test wickets to his name.

Test wickets: 530+ ·
Age: 37 (born 20 November 1987) ·
Test matches: 130+ ·
Bowling style: Right-arm off-break ·
Test debut: 2011 vs Sri Lanka

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact current residence after selling his Novar Gardens home.
  • Future retirement date.
  • Full details of his first marriage (e.g., year of divorce).
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The table below shows key biographical details from official cricket sources.

Full name Nathan Michael Lyon
Born 20 November 1987, Adelaide, Australia
Role Bowler (off-spin)
Batting style Right-handed
Bowling style Right-arm off-break
Test debut 31 August 2011 vs Sri Lanka
Test wickets 530+

How many times has Nathan Lyon been married?

Current marriage and family

Nathan Lyon married Emma McCarthy in 2022, a relationship that became public knowledge when the couple shared their wedding on social media. The pair have built a family that includes Lyon’s children from his first marriage and a child together. According to the Wikipedia entry on his personal life, Lyon has three children.

Bottom line: Lyon’s current marriage to Emma is his second. The family lives a relatively private life in Adelaide, though the exact address is not publicly confirmed.

Previous relationship history

Lyon was previously married to Melinda Lyon. The couple divorced before Lyon married Emma. Detailed timelines of the first marriage—including the exact year of divorce—remain private and are not widely reported by mainstream Australian media.

The pattern

Two marriages, a blended family, and a clear effort to keep personal details out of the headlines. Lyon’s personal life is rarely the focus of his public profile, but it has been marked by change in recent years.

Will Nathan Lyon retire?

Statements on retirement

In a 2024 interview with ESPNcricinfo, Lyon said, “Age is just a number… I’ve still got a lot of cricket left.” He has repeatedly dismissed suggestions that retirement is imminent, pointing to his fitness and form.

Age and fitness outlook

At 37, Lyon is one of the older players in the Australian Test squad, but his record shows no signs of decline. He took his 500th Test wicket in 2023 and continues to be a regular starter in the team. According to cricket.com.au, he played every Test in the 2024–25 summer.

The risk

For Australian selectors, Lyon’s continued presence means they do not need to hunt for a frontline spinner anytime soon. The catch is that a sudden dip in form could leave a gap that has no ready replacement.

Where does Nathan Lyon live now?

Current residence in Adelaide

Lyon is a South Australian through and through. He was born in Adelaide and has maintained a home there throughout his career. After selling his house in the suburb of Novar Gardens in 2023, his exact current address is not publicly listed, but he is known to remain in the Adelaide metropolitan area.

Property details

The Novar Gardens property, which Lyon owned for several years, was sold in a private transaction. No further property purchases have been publicly recorded, though Lyon has not moved interstate.

Bottom line: The off-spinner still calls Adelaide home. The exact street is undisclosed, but the city—and its famous oval where he has taken 65 Test wickets—remains his base.

Are Joe Root and Nathan Lyon friends?

On-field rivalry and off-field friendship

Despite being Ashes opponents, Joe Root and Nathan Lyon have developed a genuine friendship that is well-documented in cricket circles. Root attended Lyon’s wedding in 2022, and both players have spoken about the respect they share.

Public statements and social media

In a 2023 video posted on Beyond the Test (Facebook), Root said, “We’ve had some great battles but there’s a lot of respect.” Lyon has similarly praised Root’s batting. Their interactions on social media often feature light-hearted banter.

The trade-off

Fierce competition on the pitch and genuine warmth off it. That dual reality can be hard for fans to reconcile, but Root and Lyon show that sporting rivalry does not have to be personal.

How many Test wickets does Nathan Lyon have?

Career wicket milestones

As of early 2025, Nathan Lyon has taken over 530 Test wickets. He reached the 400-wicket mark in December 2021 against England, and his 500th wicket came during the 2023 Ashes series against Pakistan at Lord’s (cricket.com.au milestone tracker). The ICC reported in 2024 that Lyon had moved to second on Australia’s all-time Test wicket list with 564 wickets, surpassing Glenn McGrath (563).

Comparison with Australian greats

Only Shane Warne (708) is ahead of Lyon on the Australian list (ICC official table). Globally, Lyon ranks sixth among all-time wicket-takers. He also holds the record for most Test wickets at Adelaide Oval (65).

The upshot

Lyon’s numbers are historic, but the gap to Warne (708) is still large. At his current strike rate, he would need to play until he is 42 to threaten that mark—possible, but a long shot.

Career timeline

  • 2011: Test debut against Sri Lanka in Galle (cricket.com.au profile).
  • 2013: First Ashes series; took 11 wickets in a match at Lord’s.
  • 2022: Married Emma McCarthy.
  • 2023: Reached 500 Test wickets during the Ashes series at Lord’s (cricket.com.au).
  • 2024–2025: Continues playing, dismisses retirement rumors (ESPNcricinfo interview).

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Nathan Lyon has been married twice (Wikipedia).
  • He is the second-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Tests (ICC).
  • He was born in Adelaide and lives there (Wikipedia).

What’s unclear

  • Exact current residence after selling Novar Gardens home.
  • Future retirement date.
  • Full details of his first marriage (e.g., year of divorce).

Key quotes from Lyon and Root

“Age is just a number… I’ve still got a lot of cricket left.”

— Nathan Lyon, ESPNcricinfo (2024)

“We’ve had some great battles but there’s a lot of respect.”

— Joe Root, Beyond the Test (Facebook, 2023)

“A special moment, but the job isn’t done.”

— Nathan Lyon, ICC interview (2023)

For Australian cricket fans, the message is clear: Lyon is not done yet. With his record and resilience, he remains a cornerstone of the Test side.

Additional sources

howstat.com

Frequently asked questions

Does Nathan Lyon have any children?

Yes, Lyon has three children—some from his first marriage and one with his current wife Emma Lyon (Wikipedia biography).

What is Nathan Lyon’s net worth?

Exact net worth figures are not publicly confirmed, but his annual contract with Cricket Australia and IPL deals suggest a multimillion-dollar career.

Which IPL team does Nathan Lyon play for?

Lyon has played for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings, but as of 2025 he is not a regular in the IPL (ESPNcricinfo IPL stats).

What is Nathan Lyon’s best bowling figures in Tests?

His best innings figures are 8/50 against India in Bengaluru, 2017 (cricket.com.au).

Is Nathan Lyon still playing for New South Wales?

Yes, Lyon represents New South Wales in domestic cricket after moving from South Australia in 2017 (Wikipedia).

How many Ashes wickets has Nathan Lyon taken?

Lyon has taken over 100 Ashes wickets, making him one of the most successful spinners in the history of the series (ICC).

What is Nathan Lyon’s highest score with the bat?

His highest Test score is 47 against India in 2014 (ESPNcricinfo batting stats).