Nathan Lyon the 12th highest Test wicket-taker

Australian off spinner Nathan Lyon went past former New Zealand great Richard Hadlee’s wicket tally of 431 to position himself 12th on the list of highest test wicket takers. Nathan Lyon is no stranger to Galle .In 2011 September Lyon played his debut test match at this same venue Galle International Cricket Stadium and took a five wicket haul. He took 5 for 34 in his 15 overs spell while his first ball of the spell created history to take the wicket of Sri Lankan batting great Kumar Sangakkara as former skipper Micheal Clarke took a sharp catch to dismiss Sangakkara in the 16 over of the innings.

Angelo Matthews, Suraj Randiv, Rangana Herath and Chanaka Welagedera are the other four victims of Lyon on his debut which Australia won by 125 runs. During the second innings Lyon took 1 for 73 in his 19.5 overs spell and Suranga Lakmal was his only wicket of second innings.

Lyon the 34 year old New South Wales bowler who was the first day hero of the Galle first test said “I am not really sure where I stand on that test bowlers list (it’s) something I don’t really look at,” Lyon said. “The top half of the wicket takers across world cricket has some amazing names. To be overtaking a few guys on whatever number it’s very special.”

I was really proud the way we came back after tea and stuck to our plans and we were able to get late rewards and knock them over,” Lyon said on bowling out the hosts after they took tea at 191-6. I’m extremely proud of’ Sweppo,”) Mitchell Swepson )said Lyon of the up and coming wrist spinner who took two wickets in his recent debut series in Pakistan.

Mitchell Swepson the 28 year old leg spinner who took his best test bowling figures of 3 for 55 made a good supporting role to Lyon the experienced 34 year old off spinner finished with 5 for 90 which was his 20th five wicket haul in his 109 test match.

Bowlers who have taken 300 or more wickets in test cricket

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) 800 wickets
2. Shane Warne ( Australia) 708 wickets

3. James Anderson ( England) 651 wickets
4. Anil Kumble (India) 619 wickets

5. Glen McGrath ( Australia) 563 wickets
6. Stuart Broad ( England) 549 wickets

7. Courtney Walsh ( West Indies) 519 wickets
8. Ravichandran Ashwin ( India ) 442 wickets

9. Dale Steyn ( South Africa) 439 wickets
10. Kapil Dev ( India) 434 wickets

11. Rangana Herath ( Sri Lanka) 433 wickets
12. Nathan Lyon ( Australia) 432 wickets

13. Richard Hadlee ( New Zealand) 431 wickets
14. Shaun Pollock ( South Africa ) 421 wickets
15. Harbajan Singh ( India) 417 wickets