Adelaide: Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon on Thursday surpassed legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath to become the second-highest Test wicket-taker for Australia during the second Ashes match against England.
The 38-year-old entered the longest format with 562 scalps to his name, one shy of McGrath’s 563, making an immediate impact by dismissing Ollie Pope and drawing level with the former fast bowler.
Two balls later, Lyon struck again, cleaning up Ben Duckett (29) to pass McGrath with 564 wickets in 261 innings, earning a humorous response from the commentator.
Most Test wickets for Australia
- Shane Warne – 708 wickets in 273 innings
- Nathan Lyon – 564 wickets in 261 innings
- Glenn McGrath – 563 wickets in 243 innings
- Mitchell Starc – 420 wickets in 197 innings
- Dennis Lillee – 355 wickets in 132 innings
Broadcasters showed McGrath playfully grunting and lifting a chair as Lyon laid claim to the prized scalp.
“What a bowler. Nathan Lyon deserves it,” McGrath said on the BBC Test Match Special.
“You wonder what impact Nathan Lyon is going to have in this game. First over, that was a gem of a ball (to remove Ben Duckett).
“He was brilliant for Australia. He will go down as one of the best Australian spinners behind Shane Warne.
“Leon is Australia’s best off-spin bowler and he knows the craft very well. He’s been part of that big four for Australia for so long.”
Nathan Lyon’s double strike was instrumental in putting Australia in a commanding position as they reduced England to 213/8 after 371 all out.