Adelaide, 18 December 2025:
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon surpassed former fast-bowling great Glenn McGrath to move into sixth place on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers on the opening morning of the third Ashes Test on Wednesday.
Lyon, 38, needed two wickets to overhaul McGrath’s tally of 563 and achieved the milestone in his first over. He drew level when Ollie Pope was caught at midwicket with his third ball, then claimed his 564th Test wicket by bowling Ben Duckett three deliveries later.
The feat made Lyon the second-highest Australian Test wicket-taker behind the late Shane Warne, who finished with 708. Lyon is the highest-ranked active bowler and the fourth-most prolific spinner in Test history, trailing only Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Warne and Anil Kumble (619). Retired England greats James Anderson (704) and Stuart Broad (604) are the only pace bowlers ahead of him.
“What a bowler. Nathan Lyon deserves to get that,” McGrath said on BBC Test Match Special. “First over, that was a gem of a ball. He has been brilliant for Australia and will go down as one of the greats.”
Lyon returned to the side after being omitted for the day-night Test in Brisbane, a decision he said left him feeling “absolutely filthy.” He had also bowled just two overs in the series opener in Perth.
The milestone came at a venue with deep personal significance. Lyon, a former Adelaide Oval groundsman, made his Test debut there in 2010 against England. Ahead of the match, South Australia Cricket Association unveiled a commemorative plaque of Lyon on its Avenue of Honour. He now has 65 Test wickets at the ground, the most by any bowler.
England again opted not to select a specialist spinner, relying instead on all-rounder Will Jacks. Lyon used the moment to underline the value of spin bowling in the longest format.
“Variation in Test cricket is incredibly important,” Lyon said. “It’s a five-day game, pitches wear, and that’s when spinners can produce their craft. As soon as the ball spins, people pay attention. Spin matters in every format.”
