Home comfort for Lyon after going past Botham mark

On a sluggish pitch exhibiting some of the sharp turn and variable bounce that characterised Sydney pitches of yore, the 32-year-old returned his best figures from nine Test outings at the venue and lifted his career wicket tally to 385 from 96 matches.

That took him past former England captain Ian Botham (383) on the all-time wicket-takers list, but he might have been even further ahead had the normally reliable fielder not missed two sharp chances off his own bowling, both from Black Caps’ Test debutant Glenn Phillips.

The first of those (when Phillips was two) struck Lyon so hard on the right thumb it drew blood and caused him to undergo running medical repairs with a heavy gauze bandage fitted to the damaged digit before he could complete his over. An hour or more later, with Phillips having progressed cautiously to 17, the rookie batter received a thigh-high full-toss that he hammered back at Lyon who, in possibly trying to protect his earlier injury, saw the ball slam into his left thumb before it hit the turf.

Given that Lyon is renowned for claiming some stunning catches from his own bowling and regularly practices the skill at training, it proved an unlikely double reprieve for the 23-year-old Phillips who would find even greater fortune before reaching his maiden Test half-century.

“We’re in a very good position here,” said Lyon.

“A lot of work to do in the morning and we have to see what lead we the batsmen want to get to. It is pretty special to play here in front of your home crowd, in front of your family and friends. Nice to go up on the honours board.”