Nathan Lyon Goes Past McGrath, Now Only Behind Warne
Nathan Lyon returned to the Playing XI for the third Ashes Test in Adelaide with something to prove.
After missing out on selection for the second Test at the Gabba, the Australian off-spinner made an immediate impact in the third Test. Lyon struck twice in his very first over to reach 564 Test wickets, moving past Glenn McGrath on the all-time list.
He first dismissed Ollie Pope for 3, which took him level with McGrath on 563 wickets. Just moments later, Lyon struck again. Bowling from around the wicket, he beat Ben Duckett, who lunged forward as the ball clipped the top of off stump. That wicket took Lyon clear of McGrath, who watched the moment unfold from the commentary box.
Nathan Lyon is now Second on Most Test Wickets for Australia
- Shane Warne – 708
- Nathan Lyon – 564*
- Glenn McGrath – 563
- Mitchell Starc – 420*
- Dennis Lillee – 355
Glenn McGrath praised Lyon’s achievement live on air for BBC Test Match Special.
“What a bowler. Nathan Lyon deserves to get that. He has been brilliant for Australia. He will go down as one of the greatest Australia spin bowlers behind Shane Warne.”
Australian cricket has produced many great fast bowlers. However, when it comes to spin, one name usually stands above the rest. Shane Warne set the benchmark. Now, Lyon has firmly cemented his place just behind him.
At 38, Lyon continues to rewrite records. The former Adelaide Oval groundsman now holds the most Test wickets at the venue, with 65 and counting*.
Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 in Galle, where he dismissed Kumar Sangakkara with his very first ball in Test cricket. Since then, he has remained a constant presence in Australia’s red-ball setup. His teammates and fans often refer to him as the GOAT, a nod to his longevity and consistency.
With 564 wickets, Lyon now sits sixth on the all-time Test wicket-takers list. Only Shane Warne stands above him among Australian bowlers.
Most Test Wickets (Overall)
- Muttiah Muralidaran – 800
- Shane Warne – 708
- James Anderson – 704
- Anil Kumble – 619
- Stuart Broad – 604
- Nathan Lyon – 564*
The milestone ended a frustrating stretch for Lyon. He had remained on 562 wickets for 5 months. During that period, he missed two of Australia’s last three Tests, both pink-ball day-night matches where selectors opted for all-pace attacks. In Perth, he bowled just 2 overs in the opening Test of this series. In Adelaide, he needed only 6 balls to strike twice.
Before the match, Lyon reflected on the significance of the moment, given his history with the ground.
“I daresay it would be like a little fairytale, I guess, with my history here. My first ever Test match here was on the roller here back in 2010, funnily enough against England. So for me to potentially overtake Glenn McGrath here would be pretty incredible.”
In the lead-up to the Test, the South Australia Cricket Association unveiled a commemorative plaque for Lyon on the Adelaide Oval’s Avenue of Honour. Earlier in the week, his name was officially added to the list. Started off as a groundsman at the Adelaide Oval, now immortalised at the same ground.
Lyon has previously spoken about wanting to continue playing until at least the 2027 Ashes in England. With Australia set for a busy Test schedule from August next year, he has ample opportunity to push his wicket tally even higher.