18 December,2025 04:33 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Nathan Lyon (Pic: File Pic)
On day 2 of the third Test match of the Ashes series against England, Australia's star spinner Nathan Lyon achieved a historic feat.
Having completed 22 overs, he claimed two wickets by conceding 51 runs. With this, he surpassed iconic pacer Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest wicket-taker in the history of the longest format of the game.
Above him is just legendary spinner Shane Warne, who has 708 wickets to his name in 145 Test matches.
Speaking about his huge achievement, Lyon said growing up, he idolised McGrath and Warne, and surpassing the former pacer is "pretty humbling" for him.
"I grew up idolising Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath and these guys in my childhood were my heroes," he said.
"And to think of being able to overtake Glenn ... it's pretty humbling to be honest with you, and it's something that I'll look back on at the end of my career, or even tonight," added the spinner.
He also credited his teammates by saying the accomplishment of the feat would not have been possible without them.
"I'll sit back and try 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, my teammates," said the 38-year-old spinner.
Next in his sights is England seamer Stuart Broad, who has 604 wickets, then Indian great Anil Kumble's 619 scalps. Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, with 800 wickets, is the all-time top wicket-taker, followed by Warne (708 wickets) and England's Jimmy Anderson (704 wickets).
Currently, the "Three Lions" are trailing by 158 runs in the ongoing third Test match against the Aussies. They have concluded day 2 with a score of 213 runs for the loss of eight wickets in 68 overs.
England skipper Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer will resume day 3 with the scores of an unbeaten 45 and 30 runs, respectively.
The Aussies are leading the five-match Ashes Test series by 2-0. They will look to secure a win in the ongoing third match to seal the series. On the other hand, the Englishmen will be eager to register their first win of the contest in order to keep the series alive.
(With AFP Inputs)
