They call him ‘Garry’—a nickname born from a misheard airport announcement—but on Day 2 at Adelaide Oval, Nathan Lyon wasn’t just a meme. He was a maestro. With two wickets in four balls and the 564th dismissal of his Test career, Lyon surged past the legendary Glenn McGrath, etching his name deeper into Ashes folklore. This wasn’t just another Nathan Lyon Ashes performance; it was a statement of endurance, evolution, and elite craftsmanship from a spinner many once dismissed as ‘just a part-timer.’ [[1], [2]]
When Harry Brook nicked Lyon’s delivery to Alex Carey on Day 2, the Adelaide crowd erupted—not just for the wicket, but for the history it represented. That dismissal was Lyon’s 564th in Test cricket, moving him past Glenn McGrath (563) and into second place on Australia’s all-time list, behind only Shane Warne (708) [[1], [3]].
But Lyon didn’t stop there. Four balls later, he trapped Joe Root lbw with a classic off-break that spun sharply from middle stump. In those two deliveries, he didn’t just break a record—he shifted the momentum of the entire match, reducing England from 89/2 to 89/4 and halting their early momentum .
Lyon began Day 2 with 562 Test wickets. His first victim was Zak Crawley, caught at slip for 32—his 563rd. Then came Brook (564th) and Root (565th). The sequence showcased his trademark control: flight, drift, and subtle variations that deceive even the best.
Operating on a pitch offering modest turn but excellent bounce, Lyon bowled 18 overs for 42 runs and 3 wickets by stumps—a masterclass in economy and pressure . His figures may not leap off the page like a fast bowler’s, but his impact is measured in collapsed innings and broken partnerships.
Recall that Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 as a 23-year-old groundsman at Adelaide Oval—still working part-time at a bank. Critics questioned his action, his pace, and his place in a pace-dominated Australian setup.
Yet, through relentless work ethic and tactical intelligence, he became Australia’s most reliable spinner since Warne. Unlike his predecessors who relied on mystery or massive turn, Lyon’s strength is consistency, control, and cricketing IQ .
Now at 38, he’s fitter and smarter than ever—proof that spin, when paired with discipline, only improves with age.
Surpassing Glenn McGrath—a fast-bowling icon—is symbolic. It blurs the outdated notion that only pacers dominate in Australia. Lyon has taken 129 wickets in home Ashes Tests alone, often on pitches tailored for seamers .
His success has forced a cultural shift: Australian pitches now retain more moisture and offer turn, acknowledging the value of spin in modern Test strategy—a direct legacy of Lyon’s longevity .
With Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc leading the pace attack, Lyon provides the crucial balance. In the 2025 series, his role includes:
His economy rate of 2.87 in this Test so far underscores his control—something England’s spinners have struggled to replicate .
As of December 19, 2025, the updated list stands as:
Lyon is now just 143 wickets from Warne—a gap that seems insurmountable, but at his current pace (25+ wickets per year), he could play until 2027 .
The Nathan Lyon Ashes legacy isn’t built on flamboyance, but on resilience. In an era of T20 stardom and express pace, he’s proven that patience, precision, and passion can carve a path to immortality. Surpassing McGrath isn’t just a personal triumph—it’s a victory for spin in a land once ruled by thunderbolts.
As he walks off the Adelaide pitch, cap in hand, Lyon carries more than wickets—he carries the quiet dignity of a craftsman who redefined what it means to be an Australian spinner. For verified career stats and historical milestones, visit ESPNcricinfo. And don’t miss our deep dive on [INTERNAL_LINK:australian-spinners-ashes-history].
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