Nathan Lyon Injury Update: Ahead of the Day 3 of the 2nd Ashes 2023 Test, the Australian cricket team faces a huge setback right after their star spinner Nathan Lyon limps off with a calf problem during the second day of the Lord’s Test.
Nathan Lyon Injury
The incident occurred in the 37th over of the England innings when Lyon was seen limping out with the physio shortly after completing a spell. Chasing a ball to the fence, Lyon seemed in immediate discomfort and slowly hobbled off the field and sat down for several minutes while a member of Australia’s medical team checked his injury.
A few minutes later, Cricket Australia updated that Lyon suffered an injury to his right calf while fielding during the final session. Lyon would be assessed after play on day two.
“Nathan Lyon suffered an injury to his right calf while fielding in the final session today. He will be further assessed after play. A further update, if available, will be shared in the morning”, a Cricket Australia spokesman said.
Update from the Australian team: Nathan Lyon suffered an injury to his right calf injury while fielding in the final session today. He will be further assessed after play #Ashes https://t.co/2lXggLE0Vh
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 29, 2023
Steve Smith Updates on Nathan Lyon’s Injury
Steve Smith said the calf injury to Ashes teammate Nathan Lyon ‘did not look good’ and spoke about the effect losing the spinner would have on the Second Test and the series.
Possible Replacement for Nathan Lyon
Right after the Nathan Lyon injury update, a huge discussion has begun regarding his replacement for the remainder of the Lord’s Test.
Australian vice-captain Steve Smith names Todd Murphy as the possible replacement for injured Nathan Lyon.
“He could be a huge loss. However, we’ve got Todd Murphy waiting in the wings. He’s been bowling beautifully in the nets. I’d be confident if he came in he’d do a terrific job for us”, Steve Smith said.
Prior to his Test debut, Sydney Sixers teammate Steve O’Keefe praises Murphy and said he is the best off-spinner he had seen since Lyon.
“The ball comes out of his hand beautifully, he‘s been working on his variations. He’s going to be a star for the Sixers going forward, and also for the Australian cricket team when the time comes. Every year, he just seems to get a little bit better and add to that pile of new skills”, O’Keefe said in January.
Todd Murphy has played 4 Tests so far and bagged 14 wickets with a BBI of 7/124 which includes a five-wicket haul.
Nathan Lyon’s 100th Consecutive Test
Lyon’s appearance at Lord’s made him only the sixth man to play in 100 consecutive Tests and the third Australian after Allan Border and Mark Waugh and the first-ever bowler to reach this feat.
Speaking on his achievement, Lyon said “That’s something I’m really proud of. To be able to tick off 100 consecutive Test matches, that’s a proper stat in my head. That’s a lot of Test cricket, a lot of ups and downs. No wonder I’ve got no hair”.
On Day 2 of the 2nd Ashes match, Lyon dismissed Zak Crawley and claimed his 496th Test wicket and ninth of the series.
His 496 Test wickets place him eighth on the all-time list and fourth among spinners. Australia’s Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath are the only two players to have taken more Test wickets than Lyon.
As far as the match is concerned, winning the toss, England opted to bowl first where opening batters David Warner and Usman Khawaja made a 73-run stand for the first wicket.
Josh Tongue broke the partnership by dismissing Usman Khawaja for 17 runs. David Warner who scored his 35th Test fifty lost his wicket to Josh Tongue. On the other hand, Australia’s star player Steven Smith scored his 32nd Test century and pushed Australia’s score to a safer side.
Australia ended their 1st inning with a score of 416 while England loses 4 wickets for 278 runs at the end of Day 2. England’s Harry Brook and Stokes stand at the crease with 45 and 17 runs respectively while England trail by 138 runs.
