In a monumental moment for Australian cricket, veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has scaled a historic peak. On Day 2 of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval, Lyon etched his name deeper into the annals of the sport by surpassing the legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history.
A Milestone Over in Adelaide
The landmark moment arrived during England's first innings. Lyon, with his characteristic guile, struck twice in a single over to claim the record. He first dismissed Ollie Pope for just three runs and then followed it up by sending Ben Duckett back to the pavilion. This double blow took his career tally past McGrath's long-standing mark of 562 Test wickets.
Lyon now boasts 564 wickets from 141 Test matches, maintaining an average of 30.09. His impressive career statistics include a best bowling performance of 8 for 50 in an innings. The off-spinner has recorded 26 four-wicket hauls, an exceptional 24 five-wicket hauls, and five ten-wicket match hauls throughout his illustrious career.
Standing Among Giants
This achievement places Lyon firmly among Australian cricketing royalty. The only player now ahead of him is the late, great Shane Warne, who remains the country's leading Test wicket-taker with an astounding 708 scalps from 145 matches. McGrath, whom Lyon overtook, finished his remarkable career with 562 wickets from 124 Tests at a phenomenal average of 21.64.
The Adelaide feat also propelled Lyon to sixth place on the all-time list of highest wicket-takers in international cricket across all formats, a testament to his longevity and skill.
An Emotional and Humbling Moment
Speaking after the day's play, an emotional Lyon reflected on the significance of surpassing one of his childhood idols. "I grew up idolising Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath. These guys were my childhood heroes," Lyon said. "To be able to go past or even equal Glenn is pretty humbling, to be honest. It's something I'll look back on at the end of my career, or even tonight, and sit back and try to have a moment because it's extremely special for me."
He was quick to share the credit for this monumental achievement with his teammates, highlighting the collective effort behind individual success in cricket. "I wouldn't have been able to do this without the guys at the other end and my teammates," Lyon added. "It's an extremely humbling and extremely proud moment for me as well."
This record-breaking performance not only cements Nathan Lyon's legacy as one of Australia's greatest bowlers but also adds a memorable chapter to the storied history of the Ashes rivalry. His journey from a humble groundsman to a record-breaking cricketer continues to inspire fans across the globe, particularly in cricket-loving nations like India where spin bowling is deeply revered.
