Nathan Lyon reaches 600 international wickets

Nathan Lyon became the fifth Australian bowler and the second Australian spinner after Shane Warne to reach 600 international wickets. He achieved the milestone on August 23, 2026, during the second Test against Bangladesh at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. Lyon took 3/25 in 11.3 overs in the second innings, after not bowling in the first innings, to bring his career tally to 601 wickets across 174 international matches.

Career statistics and milestones

Lyon's 601 wickets have come at an average of 31.00, with 24 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket hauls. His best innings figures are 8/50. In Tests, he has taken 571 wickets in 143 matches at an average of 30.20, placing him second on Australia's all-time Test wicket-takers list behind Shane Warne (708). In One-Day Internationals, Lyon has 29 wickets in 29 matches at an average of 46.00, with best figures of 4/44. He has also played two T20Is, taking one wicket.

The leading Australian international wicket-takers are Shane Warne (999), Glenn McGrath (948), Mitchell Starc (771), Brett Lee (718), and Nathan Lyon (601).

Match summary: Australia beat Bangladesh by an innings and 51 runs

Australia won the toss and elected to field. Mitchell Starc's fiery opening spell dismantled Bangladesh's first innings, reducing them to 12/5 inside seven overs. Starc finished with 6/12 as Bangladesh were dismissed for 64. Australia replied with 210, with Cameron Green scoring 67, while Bangladesh's Shoriful Islam claimed career-best figures of 7/48. In the second innings, Bangladesh were bowled out for 95, with Starc taking 4/39, Pat Cummins 3/10, and Lyon 3/25. Australia won by an innings and 51 runs to level the series 1-1, after Bangladesh had won the first Test in Darwin by nine wickets.

Despite the victory, Australia's batting concerns remain, with the team looking to address them ahead of the three-Test series in South Africa in October.

Lyon's selection debate: Cummins hints at rotation

Australia captain Pat Cummins has indicated that Lyon may not play every red-ball Test in the future, citing pitch conditions and the presence of paceman Scott Boland as key factors.

"I would say conditions is one (factor) and also Scotty Boland's class is the other one," Cummins said after the Mackay Test. "That's why it becomes a conversation. It does seem like a lot of Test matches are accelerated. But we know how valuable Nath is and we think he is fit enough to play as many as he needs to."

Cummins had earlier mentioned during his pre-Test press conference that playing four specialist quicks was an option, though he had not yet looked at the pitch with selectors. There was media speculation before the match that Lyon could be left out for Boland, but Australia confirmed their team with Lyon included.

Lyon has not been left out of a red-ball Test when fit and available since 2012 at the WACA against India. He famously said he was "absolutely filthy" when omitted from the pink-ball Test at the Gabba during the last Ashes series.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey said Lyon "bowled quite well" given he sent down just 11.3 overs.

"There was a bit of spin and bounce in this wicket and the quicks were getting the job done, so we probably saw less overs from Nathan this Test match on probably a wicket that suited him with bounce and spin," Carey said. "Nathan is a high-class bowler and has been for a number of years, but what we have seen is that any bowling attack we go in with we normally do a pretty good job. We've seen four quicks at times, we've got allrounders and part-time spin and Nathan, who has taken (571) Test wickets."

Cummins also revealed that the team had deliberated over Lyon's inclusion for the Mackay Test: "Before the presser the other day I hadn't really had a good look at the pitch. We did five minutes of looking and thought we probably did need him out there."

Lyon's chances of playing are thought to be enhanced while Australia include pace-bowling allrounders Beau Webster and Cameron Green in the side, providing bowling depth that could allow for rotation.