Fast-bowling legend Glenn McGrath has lost his place behind Shane Warne as Australia’s second-greatest Test wicket taker – and he reacted strongly as it unfolded before him in Adelaide.
Evergreen Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon moved into second place on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-taking list after overtaking McGrath during the third Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval.
The off-spinner reached the milestone on day two, striking twice in quick succession to lift his career tally to 564 wickets.
He first dismissed Ollie Pope, who attempted a leg-side flick but sent the ball to Josh Inglis for a low catch at midwicket.
Three balls later, Lyon bowled Ben Duckett with a delivery that pitched on middle stump and clipped the top of off.
The wicket carried extra significance given McGrath had held second place for 18 years after retiring in 2007.
Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon overtook Glenn McGrath on the wicket takers list on day two of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide
McGrath was at Adelaide Oval and working on commentary, pretending to be outraged that he had lost his position in the list
The man known as Pigeon even pretended to throw a chair in faux outrage after Lyon took the wicket to overtake him
Only Shane Warne, with 708 wickets, now sits above Lyon among Australian bowlers.
McGrath reacted with humour while on commentary, picking up a chair and pretending to throw it as cameras focused on him.
Speaking later, McGrath praised the achievement and the quality of the bowling.
‘What a bowler. Nathan Lyon deserves to get that,’ McGrath said.
‘You wondered what impact Nathan Lyon was going to have in this game. First over, and that was a gem of a ball.’
Lyon said the moment carried deep personal meaning.
‘To be honest I haven’t really thought about it just as yet, but I grew up idolising Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath,’ Lyon said.
‘These guys in my childhood were my heroes and to be able to take over Glenn is pretty humbling and something I’ll look back at the end of my career or even tonight and sit back and have a moment because it is an extremely special moment for myself but I haven’t been able to do that without the guys at the other end and my teammates.’
Lyon was rested for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane but roared back at Adelaide Oval for the third Test
Lyon, pictured with wife Emma, has been a constant for the Australian team after its earlier search for Warne’s replacement
The milestone came at a ground closely tied to Lyon’s career.
Adelaide Oval was where he worked as a curator before becoming a full-time cricketer.
It was also the venue of his first professional appearance for South Australia in state T20 cricket.
Earlier in the week, Lyon’s plaque was unveiled on the Oval’s Avenue of Honour.
The plaque commemorates his 12-wicket match haul against India at the ground in 2014.
Lyon now holds the record for most Test wickets at Adelaide Oval with 64.
Warne and Mitchell Starc follow behind him on the venue’s all-time list.
The achievement capped a sharp return after a difficult period earlier in the Ashes series.
The offspinner has no plans on retiring soon, with the 2027 Ashes tour of the UK firmly in his sights
Lyon was left out of two of the previous three Tests.
Australia opted for an all-pace attack in the pink-ball Test in Jamaica, leaving Lyon to carry drinks.
He bowled only two overs in the short Perth Test and was not selected for the Gabba day-nighter.
Lyon admitted at the time that the omission frustrated him.
By lunch on day two in Adelaide, he had figures of 2 for 14 from three overs.
Lyon made his Test debut in Galle in 2011 after just four Sheffield Shield matches.
He dismissed Kumar Sangakkara with his first ball in Test cricket.
The off-spinner went on to play 100 consecutive Tests before a calf injury in England in 2023.
He has remained a constant presence in the side for more than a decade.
Lyon has repeatedly said he hopes to tour India and the United Kingdom in 2027.
