Adelaide, Australia - In a moment filled with both cricketing history and playful camaraderie, Nathan Lyon etched his name further into the record books during the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday. Lyon surpassed Australian pace legend Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker. The milestone occurred on day two of the test, with Lyon claiming the wickets of Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett in a sensational over.
Lyon reached the milestone in his 141st Test match. He first dismissed Pope, who edged a turning delivery to Josh Inglis at midwicket. Then, Lyon bowled Duckett with a ball that clipped the off stump. This achievement propelled Lyon past McGrath's 563 wickets, leaving him behind only Shane Warne (708) among Australian bowlers. Overall, Lyon now stands sixth in the list of all-time Test wicket-takers. Ahead of him are Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800), England's James Anderson (704) and Stuart Broad (604), and India's Anil Kumble (619).
The cameras quickly turned to Glenn McGrath in the commentary box as Lyon reached the milestone. McGrath, known for his competitive spirit and good humor, reacted in a lighthearted manner. He jokingly feigned frustration, throwing his hands up in the air. McGrath then grabbed a chair and pretended to smash it in jest. This comical display drew laughter and amusement from commentators and viewers alike.
Cricket.com.au posted a video of McGrath’s reaction on X. Social media exploded with reactions to McGrath's antics. Fans and cricket personalities shared their amusement and appreciation for the legendary bowler's sense of humor.
Lyon's journey to this milestone is a story of perseverance and dedication. Before his career as a professional cricketer, he worked as a curator at the Adelaide Oval. He even played his first professional match for South Australia at the venue in a T20 competition. On the 'Avenue of Honour' at the Oval, a plaque was recently placed to recognize his 12-wicket performance against India in 2014. Lyon also holds the record for the most wickets taken at the Adelaide Oval, with 64.
Lyon, nicknamed "Garry," debuted in Test cricket in 2011 and has focused solely on Test cricket since 2019. He has stated he doesn't plan to retire anytime soon.
McGrath had previously stated his hope that Lyon would surpass his record. In January 2024, McGrath said that records are meant to be broken and that he would still hold the record for the most wickets by a fast bowler.
