Nathan Lyon etched his name deeper into Australian cricket history on Day 2 of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide, passing Glenn McGrath to become the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.
The off-spinner returned to the playing XI after being left out of the previous Test and made an immediate impact. Lyon struck twice in his very first over, removing Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett to achieve a milestone few could have imagined in an era ruled by fast bowlers.
Those two wickets took Lyon to 564 Test scalps from 141 matches. He went past McGrath’s tally of 562 wickets, with only Shane Warne ahead of him among the Australians. Warne finished his career with 708 Test wickets.
The Adelaide crowd rose to acknowledge the moment as Lyon took in the applause. It was an extraordinary scene for a bowler who has quietly forged one of the most consistent careers in Australian cricket.
A milestone built on patience and trust
Lyon later described the achievement as “humbling” and spoke of the influence of the legends he grew up watching.
“I grew up idolizing Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and these boys were my childhood heroes,” Lyon said. “To be able to take over or match Glenn is quite humbling. It’s something I will look back on at the end of my career.”
He also made it clear that this milestone was not his.
“I wouldn’t have been able to do that without the guys on the other side and my teammates,” Lyon added. “It’s an extremely proud moment.”
Outside Australia, Lyon is now sixth on the list of all-time wicket-takers in international cricket. Only Stuart Broad, Anil Kumble, Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and James Anderson are ahead of him.
What makes Lyon’s rise even more remarkable is the timing of this achievement. The current era has largely favored fast bowlers, especially in Australia. Yet Lyon has remained a constant factor, delivering control, resilience and breakthroughs year after year.
The fact that he returned to the XI and struck immediately immediately underlined his value to the team. It also cleared away any doubts about his place as the leading spinner in Australian conditions.
As the 2025-26 Ashes series continues, Lyon’s milestone is a reminder of his longevity and skill. From bowling for long spells to breaking partnerships, he has earned his place among the greats of the game.
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