'To be able to take over or equal Glenn, or however you want to put it, it's pretty humbling to be honest with you, and it's something that I'll look back at the end of my career, or even tonight, and sit back and try and have a moment.'
Nathan Lyon on Thursday went past pace legend Glenn McGrath to become Australia's second-highest wicket-taker of all time.
Lyon achieved the milestone during the third Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.
During the 10th over of England's first innings, not long after skipper Pat Cummins had taken the first wicket, Lyon struck twice, first removing Ollie Pope for a 10-ball three and ending his over with a big wicket of Ben Duckett.
Lyon has also overtaken McGrath to become the sixth-highest wicket-taker in international cricket.
The former Aussie pace legend, who was in the commentary, had a hilarious reaction to Lyon breaking his record, aggressively lifting a chair and pretending to smash it.
Lyon teamed up with recalled skipper Pat Cummins to blitz England's top order before lunch on a scorching day two.
By stumps, the tourists were 213 for eight with their hopes of turning the series around all but gone.
Inserted into the Australian attack early, Lyon struck with his third ball to have Ollie Pope caught for three. Three balls later, he bowled opener Ben Duckett for 29 with a peach of a delivery that beat the bat's outside edge before clipping the top of off-stump.
The Duckett wicket put Lyon second on Australia's all-time list for test wickets with 564, one better than pace great Glenn McGrath. Only legspin king Shane Warne has more (708).
McGrath, who was in the commentary box, had a hilarious reaction to Lyon breaking his record, aggressively lifting a chair and pretending to smash it.
Rarely one to rave about milestones, Lyon made it clear this one felt special.
"I hadn't really thought about it just yet, but I grew up idolising Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and these guys," he told reporters after an exhausting day in the field.
"To be able to take over or equal Glenn, or however you want to put it, it's pretty humbling to be honest with you, and it's something that I'll look back at the end of my career, or even tonight, and sit back and try and have a moment."
Two weeks ago, Lyon was stewing about being dropped for a first home Test since 2012.
He said he was "filthy" (angry) with selectors for overlooking him at the Gabba where his replacement Michael Neser took a five-wicket haul in the fourth innings to help Australia win by eight wickets.
But on Thursday 38-year-old Lyon dismissed the idea he had extra motivation to prove himself at Adelaide Oval, saying it was "business as usual".
"To be honest with you, I've been around this group long enough to understand my role in the side, and it's an amazing group to be a part of," he said.
"(I'm) just extremely grateful for that opportunity, I guess. So, yeah, emotions were, as usual, nervous, but that's me."
Following a long recovery from a back injury, Cummins also enjoyed a fine return with the ball in his first test since the West Indies tour in July.
Bowling 14 overs, the biggest load among Australia's seamers, Cummins dismissed opener Zak Crawley, Joe Root and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, all three batters nicking behind the wicket.
Lyon said Cummins had "worked his backside off" on his rehabilitation and never doubted he would return with a bang.
"Extremely proud of the way he's gone about it and that's why he's a pretty inspirational leader," he added.
In 141 Tests, Lyon has taken 564 wickets at an average of 30.09, with best figures of 8/50, with 26 four-fers, 24 five-fors and five ten-wicket hauls to his name. McGrath had 562 wickets in 124 Tests at an average of 21.64, with best figures of 8/24.
At the top of wicket-taking charts for Australia is late spin wizard Shane Warne, having taken 708 wickets in 145 Tests at an average of 25.41, with best figures of 8/71. He had 48 four-wicket hauls, 37 five-wicket hauls and 10 ten-wicket hauls to his name.
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