Young local Nathan Lyon is close to beating former test cricketing great Richie Benaud as a leading test wicket-taker in Australian test history. Only two games ago Lyon was on the brink of being axed from the test side.
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Now 10th on the list for all time wickets for Australia he’s in equal placing with Ray Lindwall taking out 228 bales and dubbed the country’s most successful finger spinner.
The former Young player will potentially overtake Benaud on the list when he heads to India.
Richie Benaud currently ranks eighth on the list having taken out 248 wickets during the late cricketer’s career.
The 29 year-old’s form is returning meaning that with some decent matches Lyon could find himself in line with the likes of paceman Jason Gillespie (259).
I thought Nathan was very good in Melbourne and brilliant in this Test match.
- Darren Lehman
The top of the list is held tightly by legendary leg spinner Shane Warne with 708 wickets throughout his career.
After taking three critical wickets in the second innings of the Boxing Day Test he overcame the downturn in his form setting Australia up to victory. During the first innings in Sydney, Lyons took three more wickets leading to Australia winning the series.
“I thought Nathan was very good in Melbourne and brilliant in this Test match,” Australian coach Darren Lehman told media after the match.
“Best he has bowled for a long period of time. He was exceptional this game.”
Lyon will head to India where he and the rest of the Australian team will take on India in the first test on February 23.
MOST TEST WICKETS BY AUSTRALIANS
Shane Warne 708 wickets from 145 Tests
Glenn McGrath 562 from 124
Dennis Lillee 355 from 70
Mitchell Johnson 313 from 73
Brett Lee 310 from 76
Craig McDermott 291 from 71
Jason Gillespie 259 from 71
Richie Benaud 248 from 63
Graham McKenzie 246 from 60
Ray Lindwall 228 from 61
Nathan Lyon 228 from 63
