Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon became the seventh-highest wicket-taker in the history of Test cricket after he overtook former West Indian fast bowler Courtney Walsh who has 519 wickets to his name.
Lyon achieved this feat during his four-wicket haul in the first innings of the first Test against New Zealand when he dismissed skipper Tim Southee for just one run. Lyon ended up with figures of 4/43 in eight overs and took his total wickets to 521.
Lyon is now behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, James Anderson, Anil Kumble, Stuart Broad, and Glenn McGrath in the list of highest wicket-takers in Test cricket.
Here are the leading wicket-takers in Test cricket ahead of Lyon -
1. Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets)
Muralitharan is regarded as the greatest off-spinner to ever play the game and one of Sri Lanka's greatest-ever cricketers. His bowling record is unmatched, taking 800 Test wickets in 133 matches. The Sri Lankan legend has 67 five-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 9/51.
2. Shane Warne (708 wickets)
The late Shane Warne was regarded as one of the greatest bowlers cricket has ever seen, and his leg spin bamboozled left many cricketers. The Australian legend took 708 wickets in 145 matches with 37 five-wicket hauls, with his best bowling figures being 8/71.
3. James Anderson (698 wickets)
Anderson is one of the best fast bowlers in Test history with an unmatched skill set. He has taken 698 Test wickets in 186 matches with 32 five-wicket hauls, and his best bowling figures are 7/42. Anderson is just two wickets away from becoming the first fast bowler to take 700 Test wickets. He is likely to achieve the massive feat when India take on England in the Dharamsala Test starting March 7.
4. Anil Kumble (619 wickets)
Regarded by many as India's greatest bowler, Kumble is truly a legend of the game. In 132 Test matches, Kumble has taken 619 Test wickets with 35 five-wicket hauls, and his best bowling figures were a record-breaking 10/74 against Pakistan. Kumble is only one of three bowlers who have taken all ten wickets in an innings of a Test match.
5. Stuart Broad (604 wickets)
Broad was one of England's most lethal fast bowlers and formed a brilliant partnership with the ball with Anderson. Broad has taken 604 wickets in 167 matches with 20 five-wicket hauls. His best bowling figures were 8/15.
6. Glenn McGrath (543 wickets)
Australia's McGrath is considered one of the best swing bowlers. Retired in 2007, McGrath has 563 wickets from 124 Tests including 29 five-wicket hauls. His best bowling figures is 8/24. Lyon is expected to surpass him in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
