Glenn McGrath's eye-opening call on Nathan Lyon breaking Shane Warne Test record

Australian cricket legend Glenn McGrath believes Nathan Lyon can topple the record of the late Shane Warne and become Australia's most-prolific wicket-taker. Lyon became only the third Australian in history to take 500 Test wickets when he trapped Pakistani all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in front in last month's first Test at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The 36-year-old is already Australia's greatest-ever offspinner by numbers and joined McGrath (563) and Warne (708) as one of only eight bowlers to ever join the 500 club. McGrath believes Lyon has many years left in him and hopes he passes him and then tries to usurp Warne, declaring records exist to be broken.

VERY TELLING: Truth about David Warner emerges before Test cricket farewell

'NO CHANCE': Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer ignored amid Aussie Test debate

Ahead of the third and final match of Australia's Test series against Pakistan at the SCG, McGrath encouraged Lyon to shoot for the moon. "To me, records are there for people to break," he said as the McGrath Foundation prepared for its 16th annual Pink Test fundraising initiative.

"If 'Lyono' goes past (me), credit to him. He's had an incredible career. I wish him all the best, I hope he goes past me. That's what it's about. I'll still be the most wickets by a fast bowler, so at least I've got something up my sleeve."

Lyon has previously stated that he wants to win an Ashes series in England, which would mean playing at least until 2027. The offspinner took 47 Test wickets in 2023 and if he was to continue at that rate he would surpass McGrath's figures of 563 wickets from 124 matches well before then.

However, surpassing Warne would be a much more difficult task, with Sri Lankan tweaker Muttiah Muralitharan the only man to have bettered him. Muralitharan took 113 matches to reach 700 wickets after Warne was the first to pass it in his 144th and second-last Test in 2006.

Lyon has currently played 124 matches for Australia and McGrath wants to see him try to better Warne's feat although admitted it would be difficult. "Whether he gets to 'Shano', that might be a different kettle of fish," McGrath said. "It's up to him. He's obviously bowling well, he knows the game so well. It's totally up to him (whether he can pass Warne)."

Pat Cummins confident Nathan Lyon can join the 700 club

Pat Cummins believes Lyon can join Warne in surpassing 700 Test wickets. After game one against Pakistan, the Aussie captain said Lyon still has at least 50 matches left in him and if he is to take four or five wickets a game it is achievable.

"I still think you've got, say 40, 50 Test matches (left)," Cummins told Lyon at a joint post-match press conference after game one in Perth. "That's four or five years, 10 (Tests) a year. You probably average what? Four a game? That's another couple hundred; 700."

Lyon currently sits eighth in the all-time standings for most Test wickets with West Indies quick Courtney Walsh (519) the next in his sights. He made his Test debut in Sri Lanka in 2011 and has since become Australia's greatest off-spinner across 123 matches.

Most wickets in Test cricket history (as of January 2):

1. Muttiah Muralitharan (SL) - 800

2. Shane Warne (AUS) - 708

3. Jimmy Anderson (ENG) - 690 (still playing)

4. Anil Kumble (IND) - 619

5. Stuart Broad (ENG) - 604

6. Glenn McGrath (AUS) - 563

7. Courtney Walsh (WI) - 516

8. Nathan Lyon (AUS) - 505 (still playing)

9. Ravi Ashwin (IND) - 490 (still playing)

10. Dale Steyn (SA) - 439

- with AAP

Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.