Nathan Lyon overtakes Glenn McGrath in Test wickets list

Nathan Lyon added another landmark to his illustrious Test career on Thursday, overtaking Glenn McGrath on the list of leading wicket-takers in the format as he played a pivotal role in pushing Australia into control on day two of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.

The veteran off-spinner picked up his 564th Test wicket when he bowled Ben Duckett with a sharply drifting off-break, moving past McGrath and into sole possession of sixth place on the all-time list. The achievement came in Lyon’s 141st Test and capped a superb opening spell that once again highlighted his importance to Australia, even at 38.

Lyon was introduced in the 10th over with England well placed at 37 without loss, but he transformed the contest in a matter of deliveries. Ollie Pope was first to go, pushing at a turning ball and offering a sharp chance to Josh Inglis at midwicket, a dismissal that drew Lyon level with McGrath’s tally of 563 wickets. Four balls later, Duckett misjudged the flight and line, and Lyon’s delivery rattled the off stump, prompting celebrations around the Adelaide Oval and a light-hearted reaction from McGrath in the commentary box.

England slipped to 42 for three and went to lunch at 59 for three, suddenly under intense pressure in a Test they must win to keep the Ashes contest alive. Earlier, captain Pat Cummins had broken the opening partnership by dismissing Zak Crawley, setting the stage for the collapse that Lyon accelerated so decisively.

Among Australians, only Shane Warne, with 708 Test wickets, now stands ahead of Lyon. On the global list, Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Warne, and England’s James Anderson (704) remain out of reach for now, while Stuart Broad (604) and Anil Kumble (619) are the next major milestones.

Australia had earlier been dismissed for 371 after resuming at 326 for eight, with Jofra Archer finishing with five wickets. Mitchell Starc contributed a quick 54 before becoming Archer’s fifth victim.

Nicknamed “Garry,” Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 and has career-best figures of eight for 50. After stepping away from international white-ball cricket in 2019, he has spoken about feeling in peak form, and his spell on Thursday offered emphatic evidence that his remarkable Test journey is still far from finished.