In a landmark moment during the third Ashes Test, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon has etched his name into cricketing history, surpassing fast-bowling legend Glenn McGrath to become his country's second-greatest Test wicket-taker.
A Priceless Reaction to a Historic Wicket
The pivotal moment unfolded on day two at the Adelaide Oval. Lyon, needing two wickets to overtake McGrath's tally of 564, struck twice in quick succession. He first removed Ollie Pope, caught at midwicket, before clean bowling Ben Duckett with a delivery that clipped the top of off stump. The wicket that sealed the milestone was met with a characteristically humorous reaction from the man he was displacing.
Glenn McGrath, who had held second place for 18 years since retiring in 2007, was on commentary duties at the ground. As cameras panned to him, the pace-bowling great, affectionately known as 'Pigeon', feigned outrage, picking up a chair and pretending to throw it in mock disgust, much to the amusement of viewers and fellow commentators.
Lyon's Humble Tribute and Adelaide Connection
Speaking after play, Lyon was quick to pay homage to the icons of his youth. "I grew up idolising Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath," Lyon said. "These guys in my childhood were my heroes and to be able to take over Glenn is pretty humbling." He added that it was a moment he would reflect on deeply at the end of his career.
The setting for this achievement held profound personal significance for the 36-year-old. Adelaide Oval is where Lyon worked as a ground curator before his professional cricket career began. It was also the venue for his first professional appearance for South Australia. Earlier in the week, a plaque was unveiled on the ground's Avenue of Honour commemorating his 12-wicket match haul against India there in 2014. He now holds the record for the most Test wickets (64) at the Adelaide Oval.
A Resilient Return and Future Ambitions
This milestone capped a resilient comeback for Lyon, who was rested for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane after being omitted from two of the previous three matches. His frustration at being left out was well-documented, making his immediate impact in Adelaide – with figures of 2 for 14 from three overs by lunch on day two – all the more satisfying.
Since a debut in Galle in 2011, where he took the wicket of Kumar Sangakkara with his first ball, Lyon has been a constant in the Australian side for over a decade, playing 100 consecutive Tests before a calf injury in 2023. With 564 wickets now to his name, only the late, great Shane Warne (708) sits above him among Australian bowlers. Lyon has repeatedly stated his ambition to continue playing, with the 2027 Ashes tour of the United Kingdom firmly in his sights.
