Adelaide, Australia, 18 December (H.S.): Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon etched his name deeper into Test cricket lore Thursday, eclipsing compatriot Glenn McGrath's 563 wickets to claim sixth place on the all-time list with 564 dismissals during day two of the Ashes third Test at Adelaide Oval.

The 38-year-old veteran required merely two scalps for the milestone, delivering both in his opening over: first inducing Ollie Pope's catch at midwicket off Josh Inglis on the third ball, then shattering opener Ben Duckett's off-stump with the final delivery.

Lyon's clinical strikes propelled Australia to early dominance, underscoring his enduring mastery amid the series' cauldron. Now the most prolific active Test bowler, he outpaces teammate Mitchell Starc's 420 wickets, cementing his status as spin's modern sentinel in the longest format.

Leading the pantheon remain Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan with 800, Australia's Shane Warne on 708, England's James Anderson at 704, India's Anil Kumble with 619, and Stuart Broad's 604—Lyon now trails only these icons, ahead of McGrath, compatriot Ravichandran Ashwin (537), Courtney Walsh (519), and Dale Steyn (439).

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar