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Most Test wickets for AUS: Lyon overtakes McGrath in Ashes; trails only Shane Warne

Rajgeeta Yadav

Nathan Lyon surpasses Glenn McGrath [Source: AFP]Nathan Lyon surpasses Glenn McGrath [Source: AFP]

Australia’s experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon reached a huge milestone on Day 2 of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval. In a moment that will be remembered for years, Lyon broke Glenn McGrath’s long-standing record to become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests.

Notably, Lyon made an immediate impact after returning to the playing XI, having been left out of the second Test. Bowling with confidence and control, the 38-year-old struck twice in his very first over, putting England under serious pressure. 

Nathan Lyon achieves historic record for Australia

First, he dismissed Ollie Pope for just three runs. Pope tried to flick the ball but was caught at mid-wicket by Josh Inglis. That wicket took Lyon level with legendary pacer Glenn McGrath on 563 Test wickets.

Just a few balls later, Lyon created history. On the final delivery of the over, he clean bowled Ben Duckett for 29 runs. That wicket moved Lyon past McGrath, taking his tally to 564 Test wickets.

Most Wickets for Australia in Tests

  • 708 - Shane Warne
  •  564 - Nathan Lyon
  •  563 - Glenn McGrath
  •  420 - Mitch Starc
  •  355 - Dennis Lillee

It is worth mentioning that with this milestone, Lyon now sits second on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-takers list. Only the late great Shane Warne, who finished his career with 708 wickets, is ahead of him. Lyon has also climbed to sixth place on the overall list of Test wicket-takers worldwide. 

Meanwhile, the moment was made even more memorable by Glenn McGrath himself. Cameras quickly showed McGrath in the commentary box reacting in a joking, mock-angry way, pretending to throw his chair aside. His light-hearted response quickly went viral on social media and was loved by fans.

Earlier in the match, Australia had mixed results with the bat. Openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald were dismissed cheaply for 10 and 18. However, Usman Khawaja steadied the innings with a solid 82. 

Alex Carey played a brilliant knock of 106 runs off 143 balls, while Mitchell Starc added valuable lower-order runs with 54. For England, Jofra Archer was the standout bowler, taking five wickets for 53 runs.