Australia spinner Nathan Lyon said that if he had to do it all over again, he would gladly do it after he came out to bat in the second innings of his team despite hobbling on one leg after he suffered a calf strain while bowling in England first innings in ongoing Ashes 2023 second Test.
Cricket Australia had confirmed that Nathan Lyon would not bowl in the second Test being played at the Lord’s any further after he tore his calf muscle while chasing a ball to the boundary and was helped off the field.
However, it was said that he will come out to bat if needed and Lyon did hop down the stairs on one leg on the field in Australia's second innings. He stuck out there for 13 balls before being dismissed, while receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at Lord’s and appreciation from England players as well.
“I will do anything for this team. I knew the risks. It was my call. I wanted to bat. You never know how big a 15-run partnership can be in an Ashes series. I was proud of myself but if it was tomorrow I would do it again. I love this team,” Lyon said after day 4’s play.
Of his unusual experience of waiting to bat surrounded by spectators in the Long Room, of the Pavilion, Lyon added: “I had to go and wait in the Long Room otherwise I would have been timed out. It was pretty interesting. Everyone was looking at me. It was like being in a zoo. (England bowler) Jimmy Anderson asked me am I stupid and I said yes!”
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Lyon will come to know on Sunday if he could take any part in the game going forward or not.
“I’ve got a decent tear in my right calf. Regarding the series, I’m seeing the medical team tomorrow and we will have a chat about that. Right now, I’m pretty gutted, it’s shattering, to be honest. I’ve been in tears, I’ve been upset and hurting,” he added.
Lyon, who left the press conference on crutches, is confident Australia can take a 2-0 series lead on Sunday. England needs 257 more runs to win the Test and level the series as they have been set 371 runs to win.
“Our confidence is extremely high. We have a world-class bowling attack. There’s a lot of belief in that dressing room and so there should be,” he added.
He also spoke about the Australian team’s reaction to Ben Duckett being given not out after Mitchell Starc’s catch was deemed unlawful.
“Emotions are high (among the Australia team) but there is a rule in the cricket world where you have to complete the catch. I’m not going to give you my opinion!” Lyon said.
(AFP inputs)
