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Their toxic break-up was the talk of the sporting world – now Nathan Lyon’s ex reveals the TRUTH about her relationship with the cricket star and the WAG who replaced her

BBG News

There’s never an easy way to learn your spouse is having an affair.

However, it was especially heartless for Mel Waring when she found out that Nathan Lyon, her partner and father of their two daughters, was in a relationship with someone else across the country.

Even by the rock-bottom standards of philandering Australian cricketers.

On December 2017, Daily Mail released photographs taken by paparazzi showing a smiling Lyon locking lips with a young, blond real estate agent inside a car in Perth.

Her name was Emma McCarthy. Mel had never heard of her before.

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Ever since those photos surfaced, I’ve been on tenterhooks, fearing the worst. But then, word got around that Nathan, our beloved off-spinner, is in a deeply devoted relationship with Emma. Insiders have confirmed this heartwarming news, adding that they’ve been an item for approximately a year now. Phew! The relief is palpable!

They also said he’d ended things with Mel some time ago.

Contrary to reports suggesting a separation, Waring maintained they weren’t apart. Her social media accounts, brimming with family photographs, showed continued affection for Nathan, often referred to as ‘daddy’, ‘our man’, and ‘our world’, implying their bond remained strong.

When we inquired about the rumor that Mel, residing in Sydney’s southern region, had broken up with Nathan a year prior, she provided a straightforward yet sad reply.

She explained then, “From his car parked in the driveway and laundry left here, it’s likely you have a good guess.

‘With two little ones to prioritize, it’s me who ends up with the short end of the stick by the close of each day.’

Following the revelation of Nathan’s relationship with Emma, a hurt Mel withdrew to Canberra along with her daughters.

Every now and then, she would express her heartache on a blog, which was discreetly read by empathetic WAGs (Wives and Girlfriends of Athletes) who felt sorry for her because Nathan had replaced her with a younger woman.

Mel lives a quieter life these days.

She remains in Canberra, now with a new partner, and leads a typical suburban existence that stands in stark contrast to the luxurious travels, red-carpet events, and grand dinners that Emma experienced, as she married Nathan in 2022 and welcomed a child with him a year afterwards.

On Friday, when I met up with Mel at her residence in the suburbs of the Australian Capital Territory, it became evident that she was no longer the person who had been characterized as a ‘wronged woman’ by the media in the past.

And the wounds of the past appear to have healed.

She shares with me that Nathan and I maintain a strong bond, and we effectively share the responsibilities of parenting our daughters. Moreover, she mentions that Nathan plays an active part in their lives.

‘We do lots of stuff as a family that’s all together,’ she notes.

During our casual chat, Mel mentions that the situation regarding Nathan and Emma’s past relationship is an old one and everyone involved has since moved on from it.

Currently, her gracious demeanor stands in stark contrast to the tone of her “Life of Lyons” blog posts from 2018, which she started publishing just three months following the public revelation of Nathan’s infidelity. These blogs served as a means for her to express her grief over the end of their decade-long relationship.

In her words, she was a 29-year-old woman, blessed with two remarkable daughters and an extraordinary partner whom I’d cherished and held deep affection for over nine years.

Over the last seven years, we’ve journeyed across the globe. I’ve been his rock, helping him chase his dream of becoming a professional cricketer for his nation, all while raising our beautiful pair of kids. Whether it was at home, in temporary hotel rooms, or on tour, we’ve strived to savor every moment and live our wildly extraordinary family life as a tight-knit quartet.

In the blink of an eye, I found myself solely responsible for two children. That moment, my world shifted dramatically and irrevocably transformed.

My familiar life had come to an end, for my beloved partner had departed, taking with them the essence that once filled our home. Now left behind with our daughters, we endeavor to heal and gather the shattered remnants, seeking a path towards a new beginning without them.

In their extended partnership that didn’t lead to matrimony, Mel frequently expressed her pride in Nathan’s accomplishments, acting as his most ardent cheerleader.

In the year 2007, when they were still quite young, they encountered each other for the first time at Canberra’s Mooseheads nightclub. At that point, Nathan was yet to earn his reputation as one of Australia’s top-tier spin bowlers.

He was an aspiring cricket pro, and she was the girl-next-door working as a nanny.

I, being a devoted supporter, stood by Nathan’s side as he juggled an assortment of ordinary jobs alongside his grade cricket participation in the ACT. I was present when he made the move to Adelaide in 2009, where he played at the club level and harbored dreams of stardom while laboring as a groundsman at the Oval.

2011 marked a significant shift for him, as it was during his Test debut that he made history by dismissing Kumar Sangakkara of Sri Lanka with his initial delivery – the very first wicket he ever took.

In his former days, Mel served as a significant connection to Mel’s past. He stood by his side, offering comfort and helping to rear their daughters, Harper and Milla, who were born just after the underdog’s career experienced a remarkable surge in success.

Due to his sporting triumphs, they faced the pressure of a demanding international sports itinerary which required their young family to visit Sri Lanka, India, South Africa, Bangladesh, and the West Indies.

Despite Nathan’s soaring profile, she never doubted him.

Fast-forwarding to 2025, I find myself blessed as a proud father of three beautiful souls. In the heartwarming month of September 2023, my loving partner Emma and I added another precious gem to our family – our daughter August.

They also own a $3.8million townhouse in Sydney’s Tennyson Point. 

Originally, Emma, who was in a relationship with Mitchell Marsh, one of the players on Australia’s cricket team, experienced a cool response from the group of partners of the cricketers (often referred to as WAGs). However, as time passed, she has been welcomed and is now considered part of their circle.

Currently, she holds a significant position, often referred to as a ‘queen bee’, and it’s known that she maintains friendships with individuals such as Jess Davies, Bonnie Paine, Becky Boston, and Cat McAteer.

In the past week, while I met up with Mel in suburban Canberra, balancing a puffer coat and a takeout cup of coffee, Emma was embarking on a first-class Qantas flight to London, accompanied by her 19-month-old daughter, eagerly anticipating the World Test Championship.

Instead of checking in these high-priced items, she prepared a $19,230 black Chanel handbag, a $3,725 Goyard carry-on, and about $1,500 worth of luxury airborne skincare products before getting comfortable for 24 hours aboard the plane.

A few days passed, and she shared Instagram photos taken at an Aussie café in London, as well as a video clip showing Nathan strolling with August on Marylebone High Street, holding hands.

The contrast with his old life couldn’t be starker.

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2025-06-09 16:36

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