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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon takes 500th Test wicket: 'It's a bloody big milestone'

Nathan Lyon became the eighth man to take 500 Test wickets as he helped Australia seal a 360-run victory over Pakistan in Perth.

Lyon dismissed Faheem Ashraf and Aamer Jamal to pass the personal landmark.

The 36-year-old is the third Australian to reach the mark, following in the footsteps of the late Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.

Only Muttiah Muralitharan, who leads the way with a remarkable 800, Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble, Stuart Broad, McGrath and Courtney Walsh have claimed more Test wickets.

Lyon said: "It's something I'm very proud about. Firstly, to take 500, it's a bloody big milestone. I still pinch myself when I see my name next to those guys - well not even next, below those guys in my eyes.

“Shane Warne is the greatest to ever play this game in my opinion, and Glenn McGrath's record speaks volumes, doesn't it? So to edge closer to those guys, it's something that I'm proud of."

Australia captain Pat Cummins said: "It's huge, 500 Test wickets, all over the world, over a decade, in all conditions. He's been waiting for that one for six months with his calf injury and he has just bowled as well as he ever has."

Australia go 1-0 up in the three-match series against Pakistan, with the second Test starting on Boxing Day.

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