Nathan Lyon etched his name deeper into Australian cricket history on Day 2 of the third Ashes Test, overtaking Glenn McGrath to become the country’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. The milestone came in Adelaide when Lyon clean bowled Ben Duckett, taking his tally to 564 wickets and moving ahead of McGrath’s long-standing record of 563.
The historic moment was made even more memorable by McGrath himself, who was on commentary duty at the time. Cameras caught the former fast bowler playfully reacting from the commentary box, mock-fuming and jokingly acting as if he might throw his chair, a light-hearted gesture that quickly went viral among cricket fans.
Lyon’s impact was immediate and decisive. Introduced early on the second morning, the off-spinner struck twice in his opening over, swinging momentum firmly in Australia’s favour. England had started the day at 37 without loss before Pat Cummins removed Zak Crawley, opening the door for a rapid collapse. Lyon first dismissed Ollie Pope to draw level with McGrath, then surpassed him just four balls later when Duckett misread a drifting delivery that knocked back his off stump.
The achievement was particularly significant given Lyon had been left out of Australia’s playing XI in the second Test. His return in Adelaide emphatically reinforced his importance, even on a surface more traditionally suited to pace bowling. With only Shane Warne’s 708 wickets now ahead of him, Lyon stands alone among modern Australian bowlers.
Earlier, Australia resumed on 326 for eight and were eventually bowled out for 371, with Jofra Archer claiming five wickets for England. Mitchell Starc provided resistance with a brisk half-century before Archer ended the innings. By lunch, England were 59 for three, still facing a tough challenge in extreme heat conditions as they fight to stay alive in the Ashes series.
Day 2, however, belonged to Nathan Lyon — and to a sporting, good-humoured Glenn McGrath acknowledging that another Australian great has officially passed him.