Ashes 2019: Nathan Lyon Surpasses Dennis Lillee To Become Australia's Third Highest Wicket-Taker

Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon wrote his name in the history books in the ongoing third Ashes Test at Headingley. After taking the crucial wicket of England’s skipper Joe Root, Lyon became the third-highest wicket-getter for Australia in the Test fold. Lyon leapfrogged Dennis Lillee’s tally of 355 wickets in the multi-day format.

In fact, Lyon would like to thank his teammate David Warner for his 356th scalp as Warner took a brilliant catch while diving to his left at first slip. On the other hand, Shane Warne is at the culmination of highest wicket-takers for Australia as the magician spinner had taken 708 wickets. Warne is the second-highest wicket-taker in the longest format of the game behind Muttiah Muralitharan.

Lyon has been a consistent performer for Australia.

Former Australian legendary fast bowler Glenn McGrath is at the second place as the lanky pacer had taken 563 wickets for his team in the red ball version.

Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon is one of the most consistent spinners in the world. In fact, Lyon has not only done well on the spin-friendly pitches but also he has savored success on pitches which offered less assistance for him. The off-spinner has taken 13 wickets thus far in the ongoing Ashes series.

The talismanic spinner had scalped nine wickets in the first Test match at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The off-spinner had taken six wickets in the second innings of the match.

Thus, Lyon has been instrumental in the success of the Australian team. Lyon has taken 356 wickets in 89 Test matches at an average of 32.14 and strike rate of 63.77.

England needs another 139 runs to pull off a miraculous win whereas Australia needs another six wickets to retain the Ashes. The tourists currently lead the series by 1-0 and England will need to win this Test match to keep breathing in the series.