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Nathan Lyon has taken his 356th Test wicket to move him past Dennis Lillee as Australia's third most successful bowler.

Nathan Lyon has overtaken Dennis Lillee as Australia's third most successful bowler after dismissing England skipper Joe Root in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Lyon had been sitting on 355 wickets since the opening Test at Edgbaston but made the crucial breakthrough to dismiss Root for 77 thanks to a brilliant diving catch by David Warner.

He is now bettered only by Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563) on the all-time record list.

Lyon, who debuted in 2011, took a wicket with his first ball in Test cricket when he had Kumar Sangakkara caught at slip in Galle, and bypassed Lillee's record in 89 Tests.

The 31-year-old offspinner tempted Root into trying to cut to the boundary but the ball bobbled over the head of wicketkeeper Tim Paine and Warner showed great anticipation to dive behind his skipper and hold the catch.

Australia need six more wickets to wrap up a first Ashes series win in England since 2001, with the hosts requiring a record 359 for victory.

After 80 overs England were 4-167 with the new ball taken by Paine.