Nathan Lyon has become Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket as he returned to the fold with a bang.
Lyon was tossed the ball in the 10th over and quickly snared two wickets in his first four balls to tick his career tally up to 564 Test wickets, one more than legendary Aussie quick Glenn McGrath.
Only legspinner Shane Warne (708) has now claimed more Test scalps for Australia.
And McGrath’s hilarious reaction in the commentary box had everyone in raptures.
After the spinner bowled Ben Duckett, McGrath threw his hands up in the air before picking up a chair and pretending that he was about to smash the window with it. “You think all those years ago when he was sitting on the roller here at Adelaide Oval – and now he’s gone past the great Glenn McGrath for Test wickets for Australia. What an achievement,” former Aussie quick Brett Lee said on Kayo Sports’ Ashes coverage, before the camera panned to McGrath.
And fans loved seeing the cricket legend in a playful mood.
“Glenn McGrath’s reaction to Nathan Lyon passing him on the all-time Test wickets list was absolutely hilarious,” cricket.com.au wrote on X.
“Haha gold. What a legend,” another commented.
“Glenn is bloody hilarious,” a third added.
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Speaking on the BBC’s Test Match Special, McGrath paid tribute to Lyon’s incredible achievement.
“What a bowler. Nathan Lyon deserves to get that,” McGrath said.
“You wondered what impact Nathan Lyon was going to have in this game. First over, and that was a gem of a ball.”
Explaining his reaction in the commentary box, the 55-year-old said he had pre-planned it with fellow former fast bowler and commentator, Damien Fleming.
“Yeah, so Flemmo was next door, so we teed it up if it did happen,” McGrath told Channel 7.
Seven commentator Emma Freedman quickly interjected: ”Don’t reveal your secrets. What are you doing?”
To which McGrath replied: “Oh, no, he just passed me on the all-time wicket list …”
“You’ve got to have a bit of fun, but you know, Nathan Lyon, he’s just quality, isn’t he?
“To see him out there, Australia’s best ever offspin bowler to move in a second position … He’s been waiting for it for a long time now.
“He’s been left out of two Tests. Only bowled two overs over in Perth. So it’s been coming for a long time. So great to see him get it. He deserves it.”
Australia’s all-time top Test wicket takers:
1. Shane Warne: 708 wickets at an average of 25.41
2. Nathan Lyon: 564 at 30.06
3. Glenn McGrath: 563 at 21.64
4. Mitchell Starc: 420 at 26.51
5. Dennis Lillee: 355 at 23.92
