Heading into the third Test of the Ashes 2025/26, there was anticipation of veteran off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, breaking the record of the former pacer, Glenn McGrath, to become Australia’s second leading wicket-taker in Tests. And he took just six balls on the second afternoon session of the third contest at the Adelaide Oval to make the feat in his name.

Nathan Lyon now remains only behind the late great Shane Warner. He had been stuck on the 562 wickets for five months, having missed two of Australia’s last three Tests, owing to two of them being the pink-ball day-night Test in Jamaica and Brisbane when the selected opted for all-pace attacks. He had bowled only two overs in the opening Test of the series at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

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The first was a gift one when the right-handed batter, Ollie Pope, gave catching practice to the mid-wicket region to draw Lyon level with McGrath. His second was a peach as it drifted into off from around the wicket on a good length. Ben Duckettt played forward in defense, and the ball spun past the edge to hit the top of the off stump.

Nathan Lyon becomes Australia’s 2nd leading Test wicket-taker

At the point, Lyon had 564 wickets while Warne finished with 708 from 145 games. On the global all-time list, the off-spinner has now found himself in sixth position, with his next target being 600 wickets.

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And with that absolute beauty, Nathan Lyon has passed Glenn McGrath for Test wickets! 564 😱#Ashes | #MilestoneMoment | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/wTofukUsYD

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2025

Lyon, in the past, has spoken about wanting to play on until at least the 2027 Ashes in the UK, and Australia will also have a bumper period of red-ball cricket at home next year onwards. Earlier in the week, Lyon was added to the Adelaide Oval’s Avenue of Honour for his 12 wickets against India in 2014.

Australia posted 371 runs in the first innings with Alex Carey smashing a fine century, followed by a half-century from Mitchell Starc. England have already lost half of their side for 132 runs, with Harry Brook being the leading run-getter of the innings with 45 runs.