Cricket has a way of writing its own scripts and Nathan Lyon’s return in Adelaide was one straight out of a movie. After being left out controversially in the previous Test, the veteran off-spinner walked back into Australia’s playing XI and made an instant statement during the third Test against England. In his very first over, Nathan Lyon struck twice, removing Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett, and with those wickets, he etched his name deeper into the Australian cricket history.
Those two breakthroughs helped Nathan Lyon first draw level with Glenn McGrath’s long-standing tally of 563 Test wickets and then move past the legendary fast bowler to become Australia’s second highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. Only Shane Warne now sits above him. The moment became even more memorable when Glenn McGrath, watching from the commentary box, jokingly reacted in mock disbelief. His playful outburst, complete with dramatic gestures, left fellow commentators laughing and added a light-hearted touch to a historic achievement.
Here is the video of funny incident:
https://x.com/cricketcomau/status/2001463797798637621
Click to watch this video directly on X
For Nathan Lyon, this milestone had been a long time coming. The 38-year-old, already Australia’s most successful off-spinner in Tests, had waited two months to finally go past Glenn McGrath. He had been sidelined for two of Australia’s last three matches, both day-night Tests where the team opted for an all-pace attack. Even in the Ashes opener in Perth, Nathan Lyon barely got a chance, bowling just two overs without success.
The disappointment was particularly sharp at The Gabba, where Nathan Lyon reportedly learned shortly before the match that he would not be playing. He did not hide his frustration at the time, though he remained committed to supporting the team in any way possible.
Adelaide offered redemption. Alongside Nathan Lyon’s return, Australia also welcomed back a fully fit Pat Cummins who had missed the first two Tests. However, Steve Smith was ruled out late due to fitness issues, with Usman Khawaja stepping in as his replacement.
With Australia now holding a 2-0 lead in the five-match series, Nathan Lyon’s performance not only strengthened their position but also served as a reminder that class, patience and perseverance still matter at the highest level.
