Nathan Lyon becomes third Australian to accomplish 550 Test wickets
What's the story
Nathan Lyon, the veteran Australian off-spinner, has reached a remarkable career milestone- 550 wickets in Test cricket.
The achievement came during Day 3 of the second and final Test match between Sri Lanka and Australia in Galle.
Lyon completed the landmark with his first wicket in the third innings. He dismissed three batters in his first outing.
Notably, he became the third Aussie and seventh bowler overall to complete 550 Test scalps.
Context
Why does this story matter?
Lyon has been the lead spinner of Australia's Test team since his debut in the format in 2011.
He dismissed Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara off his first ball in Tests and has not looked back since then.
Lyon has proven his mettle across different conditions and his numbers are the testimony of his brilliance.
The 37-year-old has now approached another massive feat.
Club
Seventh bowler with this feat
Lyon became the second off-spinner to complete 550 wickets in Test cricket.
Overall, he has become the seventh bowler to achieve this feat.
Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran (800), Australia's Shane Warne (708) England's James Anderson (704), India's Anil Kumble (619), England's Stuart Broad (604), and Australia's Glenn McGrath (563) have more Test wickets than Lyon.
Career statistics
Lyon's journey to 150 Test wickets in Asia
Earlier in the game, Lyon became the first non-Asian bowler to take 150 Test wickets in Asia.
Lyon achieved his 150th Test wicket in Asia in his 30th match, averaging 30-plus.
His record comprises 11 four-wicket hauls and a five-wicket haul on Asian soil.
This is better than Shane Warne's record of taking 127 wickets in just 25 Tests at an average of 26.
Stats
Breaking down Lyon's numbers in Tests
The veteran spinner has now raced to 550 scalps from 136 Test matches at 30-plus.
He has 24 fifers in the format (10WM: 5).
Meanwhile, the series opener also Lyon complete 50 Test wickets against Sri Lanka (now 57 at 32-plus).
While 268 of his wickets have come in home Tests at 31.08, he owns 260-plus away scalps at 28-plus.
His remaining 20 wickets have come at neutral venues.