Nathan Lyon has no plans to retire from Test cricket despite handing over the role of leading the Australia victory song.

Lyon had been the song-master for longer than any other player, having been given the duty back in 2013, but has now decided to give it to Alex Carey, who briefly took over during the Ashes when Lyon was injured.

The 37-year-old played 119 Tests while holder of the song, 'Under the Southern Cross I Stand', registering 67 wins, including a 5-0 Ashes sweep in 2013-14.

Lyon has his eye set on two marquee series, with India and England both on the horizon for Australia.

"I've been very honoured to first lead the song, but to have it for 12, 13 years, it's been one of the biggest highlights of my career," Lyon said.

"I've been thinking about it for a while now, but this definitely doesn't mean I'm retiring anytime soon. There's no talk about me retiring or even thoughts coming in my head.

"I've always said I want to win away in India, and I want to win away in England. Obviously, we've got that opportunity in a couple of years' time, but we've also got to take it Test by Test and make sure we're doing everything here and getting the games here in West Indies right.

"Then we've got a massive summer at home with the Ashes. But also, another World Test Championship final will be on my cards."

 

 

 

 

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Should Lyon play on, he would give himself a chance of surpassing 600 Test wickets, and possibly even chasing down Shane Warne’s tally of 708.

He has taken 556 wickets during his Test career, taking 130 of those against India and 110 versus England.

The current World Test Championship cycle includes 21 more Tests, as well as a 150th anniversary against England in March 2027, but Lyon believes Warne’s total might just be out of his reach.

"Warney's a long way away," Lyon said. "And in my eyes, he's the greatest to ever play the game.

"I'm just lucky to be part of a pretty special cricket team at the moment. We're on our way to becoming a great cricket team. We're not there [yet] as I always say.

"But to be part of this bowling attack and play my role is special. That's the reason why I keep playing."

Australia’s second Test against West Indies begins on Thursday, with the tourists leading the series 1-0 after a 159-run victory in the first match.