Australia veteran spinner Nathan Lyon reached a major milestone on Thursday, overtaking former fast-bowling great Glenn McGrath to become the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Lyon achieved the feat during the first session of the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval, moving past McGrath’s tally of 563 wickets to sit behind only Shane Warne on Australia’s all-time list.
After being left out of the XI for the second Test in Brisbane, Lyon made an immediate impact in Adelaide. He first dismissed Ollie Pope for 3 to draw level with McGrath, before producing a classical off-spinner from around the wicket to beat Ben Duckett, the ball clipping the top of off stump. That delivery brought up Lyon’s 564th Test wicket, placing him outright sixth on the all-time Test wicket-takers’ list. Only Warne (708) has taken more Test wickets for Australia, while Muthiah Muralidaran (800), James Anderson (704), Anil Kumble (619) and Stuart Broad (604) are the only other bowlers in history with more scalps than the 38-year-old.
Lyon achieved the landmark at the Adelaide Oval, where he once worked as a curator before becoming a full-time cricketer. “You think all those years ago when he was sitting on the roller here at Adelaide Oval, and now he’s gone past the great Glenn McGrath for Test wickets for Australia. What an achievement,” former Australia pacer Brett Lee said on Kayo Sports. Lyon’s strikes halted what appeared to be a steady reply from England, who were reduced to 124/4 after bowling Australia out for 371.
(IANS)
