Ashes 2025: Nathan Lyon makes history by surpassing Glenn McGrath’s total to become Test cricket’s highest wicket-taker

Ashes 2025: On day two of the current Test, Australia’s top spinner Nathan Lyon made a spectacular return after being ruled out of the second Test. He got wickets in his first over and left the visitors reeling. Lyon now has 564 wickets after taking those two, shattering Glenn McGrath’s record as the top wicket-taker in this format.

Often referred to as “Garry,” Lyon first removed Ollie Pope, who had just scored three runs, when Josh Inglis made a spectacular catch and mistimed the ball as it was heading towards mid-wicket.

After dismissing Ben Duckett, Lyon had overtaken McGrath and was shown jubilantly celebrating. With 708 wickets, Lyon, who has participated in 141 Test matches, is now only behind and the second-highest taker.

Australia’s Top Five Test Wickets
Warne, Shane (708)

Lyon, Nathan (564*)

McGrath, Glenn (563)

Starc Mitchell (420*)

Lillee, Dennis (355)

*Updated through the Adelaide Test’s opening session

In the long format, he is also the sixth-highest wicket-taker overall.

The Top Five Test Wickets in History
Muralitharan Muttiah (800)

Warne, Shane (708)

Anderson, James (704)

Kumble, Anil (619)

Stuart Broad (604)

“Absolutely Filthy” Lyon
After being passed over for the second Test at the Gabba, he also acknowledged that he didn’t feel well. He didn’t know he wasn’t in the starting lineup until thirty minutes before the game began.

“Very dirty. However, there is nothing that can be done about it. Lyon was cited by Channel 7 as stating, “So, yeah, I hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here.”

With an eight-wicket victory, the Steve Smith-led team now leads the series 2-0.