Nathan Lyon marked his return to Australia’s Test XI in emphatic fashion, striking twice in his very first over at Adelaide Oval to climb to second place on Australia’s all-time Test wicket-takers list, behind only Shane Warne.
After going five months without adding to his tally — stalled on 562 wickets after missing two of Australia’s last three Tests due to the preference for all-pace attacks in pink-ball matches — Lyon wasted no time making an impact. Having bowled just two overs in the Perth Test earlier in the series, he needed only six deliveries in Adelaide to remind everyone of his enduring value.
His first breakthrough came courtesy of Ollie Pope, who offered a simple catch to midwicket, a dismissal that brought Lyon level with Glenn McGrath. Moments later came the landmark wicket: a beautifully flighted off-break from around the wicket that drifted into Ben Duckett, drew him forward in defence and then spun sharply past the edge to clip the top of off stump — a textbook offspinner’s dismissal of a left-hander.
With that strike, Lyon moved to 564 Test wickets, edging clear of McGrath and leaving Warne’s towering mark of 708 as the only one above him in Australian cricket. On the global list of Test wicket-takers, Lyon now sits sixth overall, with the next major milestone — 600 wickets — firmly in his sights.
The 36-year-old has previously spoken of his desire to continue playing until at least the 2027 Ashes in England, a goal that looks increasingly realistic with Australia set for a packed Test calendar from August next year onwards.
Adding to the significance of the week, Lyon was earlier honoured at Adelaide Oval with induction into the ground’s Avenue of Honour, recognising his memorable 12-wicket haul against India at the venue in 2014. His latest exploits suggest there may be plenty more moments worthy of remembrance still to come.
