Ashes 2025-26: ‘Pretty humbling’ – Nathan Lyon ‘proud’ after surpassing Glenn McGrath in list of Australia’s top wicket takers

Nathan Lyon, a veteran spinner, made history in Australian cricket on Day 2 of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide. The off-spinner eclipsed famous pacer Glenn McGrath to become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, a performance Lyon hailed as ‘humbling’ as he reminisced on passing one of his childhood idols.

The milestone occurred during England’s first innings at Adelaide Oval. Lyon, who returned to the XI after being benched for the previous Test, delivered promptly. In his opening over of the day, the 38-year-old struck twice, dismissing Ollie Pope for three and then removed the in-form Ben Duckett, bringing him level with McGrath before passing him.

Lyon now has 564 Test scalps from 141 matches, surpassing McGrath’s tally of 562 wickets in 124 Tests at an average of 30.09, with best figures of 8/50, 26 four-wicket hauls, 24 five-wicket hauls, and five 10-wicket matches. On Australia’s all-time Test wickets list, only the late Shane Warne (708 wickets) is ahead of him.

Nathan Lyon feat also moved him up to sixth place on the list of international wicket-takers. Lyon opened up about the feelings he felt during the play.

“I grew up idolising Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and these guys were my childhood heroes and to be able to take over or equal Glenn, it’s pretty humbling to be honest with you, and it’s something that I’ll look back at the end of my career. Or even tonight, and sit back and try and a have a moment because it is an extremely special moment for myself,” Lyon said at the post-day press conference.