Nathan Lyon surpasses Shane Warne's record against Sri Lanka (Tests)
What's the story
Nathan Lyon has gone past Shane Warne's 59 wickets to become Australia's most successful Test bowler against Sri Lanka.
The 37-year-old spinner achieved the feat in the second Test at the Galle International Stadium.
He sent Kusal Mendis back on the fourth day, taking his 60th Test wicket against Sri Lanka.
The off-spinner overall took seven wickets in the game as the Aussies recorded a nine-wicket triumph.
Career snapshot
Lyon's record-breaking wicket and career overview
Lyon got rid of Mendis, who had scored 50 off 54 balls, on the fourth ball of the 64th over in Sri Lanka's second innings.
Steve Smith took the catch as Lyon recorded his fourth wicket in the innings.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Warne had held the record with 59 wickets in just 13 matches against Sri Lanka at 25.54.
Meanwhile, Lyon has raced to 60 wickets across 15 games against SL at 31.98 (5W: 2).
WTC performance
Lyon's performance in World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle
In the current WTC 2023-25 cycle, Lyon has also gone past India's Ravichandran Ashwin as the highest wicket-taker among spinners.
He has taken 66 wickets in 16 matches thus far, going past Ashwin's tally of 63 wickets from 14 matches.
This further highlights Lyon's immense contribution to Australia's bowling attack during this period.
With 210 scalps at 26.85, the Aussie is also the leading wicket-taker in WTC history.
Club
Seventh bowler with this feat
The game saw Lyon become the second off-spinner to complete 550 wickets in Test cricket.
Overall, he became the seventh bowler and third Australian to achieve this feat.
He too became the first non-Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in Asia (now 154).
Lyon achieved his 150th Test wicket in Asia in his 30th match, averaging 30.05 (5W: 11, 10WM: 2).
Career
Breaking down Lyon's numbers in Tests
Lyon recorded figures worth 3/96 and 4/84 in the match.
The veteran spinner has now raced to 553 scalps from 136 Test matches at 30.19.
He has 24 fifers in the format (10WM: 5). Meanwhile, the series opener also Lyon complete 50 Test wickets against Sri Lanka.
While 268 of his wickets have come in home Tests at 31.08, he owns 265 away scalps at 28.30.
His remaining 20 wickets have come at neutral venues.
Summary
How did the game pan out?
Fifties from Kusal Mendis (85*) and Dinesh Chandimal (74) helped SL post 257/10 while batting first.
Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann dismissed three batters each. Australia posted a brilliant 414/10 in response as Steve Smith (131) and Alex Carey (156) made their bat talk.
Angelo Mathews (76) and Mendis (50) were SL's half-centurions in the third innings as they managed 231/10.
Lyon and Kuhnemann took four wickets each. The visitors broke no sweat while chasing the 75-run target.