The reason behind Tim Paine shouting 'Nice Garry' to cheer up Nathan Lyon

Senior Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon picked his first-ever five-wicket haul against Pakistan in Tests in the second match in Adelaide to push them to a crushing defeat. He claimed five of the seven wickets that the visitors lost on Day 4 to lose by an innings and 48 runs and the series 0-2.

However, while Nathan was busy displaying his superior show with the ball, his captain Tim Paine, who is also the wicket-keeper, was heard saying something interesting that was caught by the stump mics. Paine, who is known to be vocal behind the wickets, hailed his spinner as “Nice, Garry” as he continued to mesmerise the Pakistan batsmen. The fans were left curious as Nathan’s full name is Nathan Michael Lyon and yet he was being called “Garry”.

Glovemen are known to boost spinners from behind and they come up with all sorts of names to address the bowler but none that has no connection with the original nomenclature. So, why was Paine shouting something unique as “Garry?”

Wade began the tradition in 2016

There is a history behind it. Nathan loves himself to be called “Garry” or “Gazza” after compatriot Garry Lyon — a former Australia football player — and it became evident during Australia’s 2016 series against South Africa. Then, wicket-keeper Mathew Wade was heard shouting “Nice, Garry” whenever Nathan bowled and the fans too picked it up.

During the Ashes this year, Tim Paine was also heard shouting “bowled Gazza” as a variation of “Garry”. In the past, the crowd at a Boxing Day Test match against Pakistan did the same by addressing Nathan as “Garry”. The 32-year-old bowler also sported the now-popular phrase ‘Nice, Garry’ on his shoes during the Big Bash League.

For those who like history, Garry had captained Melbourne between 1991 and 1997. Nathan Lyon took 5/69 in the second innings in the day-night game at the Adelaide Oval after Australia opener David Warner’s 335 not out in the first innings left Pakistan buried under a mammoth total. Australia next play New Zealand in a three-Test series at home.