Often maligned, Nathan Lyon spins his way into an exclusive club at the MCG Nathan Lyon salutes the crowd after picking up his fifth wicket. Much-maligned spinner Nathan Lyon took centre-stage late on Day 3 at the MCG, taking 5-50 and becoming just the sixth Australian off-spinner to claim 100 Test wickets. HE'S unfashionable, he's maligned - and he's just joined Australian cricket folklore. Nathan Lyon, the one-time groundsman who has been playing first-class cricket for less than three years, yesterday became just the sixth Australian off-spinner to reach the 100 Test wicket plateau. And that he did it in style with a five-wicket haul against England at the MCG only adds to the fairytale - especially after he was dropped twice earlier this year. Lyon became just the 11th Australian spinner to reach the century of wickets, a list headed by five leg-spinners and topped by Shane Warne's mighty 708 victims. But in just his 29th Test, Lyon looks set to become our top "offie" in coming years with only 40 wickets standing between him and the top-ranked Hugh Trumble (141). Other off-spinners to reach the milestone are Ashley Mallett (132), Bruce Yardley (126), Ian Johnson (109) and George Giffen (103). "I'm not sure if it has sunk in yet with the emotions of an Ashes Test match ... still riding high," Lyon said. It's fantastic - amazing, to be honest. It seemed a long way away when I first started, but I'm lucky enough to get there and no one can take 'em off me. In a series dominated by the bowling of Mitchell Johnson, Lyon, 26, stepped into the spotlight with 5-50 when his country needed him most, ripping apart England's second innings with his fourth five-wicket haul. And to be fair to a man who has also been hammered at times for not standing up in Australia's second innings in the field, his victims were the heart of the English order in a significant match. "To have that result in a second innings for Australia was fantastic to turn the game around," Lyon said. We didn't expect that to be honest, but we knew if we bowled in partnerships ... we could possibly crack open the game and we were lucky enough to get that today. Ian Bell was the first victim of Lyon's unexpected charge from 96 to 101 in three game-changing hours. He then ground down Ben Stokes, baffled Tim Bresnan and Stuart Broad, before claiming the prized wicket of Kevin Pietersen to cap his afternoon. The joy his teammates felt was evident with a group hug at the Great Southern Stand end after Pietersen's demise. And as Lyon held the ball aloft - as has become customary for bowlers celebrating five-wicket hauls - he felt the love of the 63,864-strong MCG throng. That's the first time I've (taken five wickets) in Australia, so it's something pretty special and it's something I won't forget, that's for sure - and to have my family here is pretty special. It didn't hurt his popularity that he'd earlier convinced a policeman to give him a beachball that had blown on to the field from the Olympic Stand so he could return it to the masses. Perhaps, for such an outwardly shy character, they were glimpses into why he was chosen by former holder Mike Hussey as the keeper of the team song. And you can bet your bottom dollar that if Australia knocks off the run chase today, there'll be one very proud rendition of "Under the Southern Cross." 708 Shane Warne 248 Richie Benaud 216 Clarrie Grimmett 208 Stuart MacGill 144 Bill O'Reilly 141 Hugh Trumble 132 Ashley Mallett 126 Bruce Yardley 109 Ian Johnson 103 George Giffen 101 Nathan Lyon 141 Hugh Trumble (32 Tests) 132 Ashley Mallett (38) 126 Bruce Yardley (33) 109 Ian Johnson (45) 103 George Giffen (31) 101 Nathan Lyon (29)