BREAKING NEWS: Australia provide Nathan Lyon injury update
BREAKING NEWS: Australia confirm Nathan Lyon has ‘significant calf strain’ after spinner was spotted arriving at Lord’s on crutches… but insist star’s Ashes series is NOT over yet
- LIVE: Follow Mail Sport’s over-by-over coverage of the second Ashes Test
- Nathan Lyon arrived at Lord’s on crutches for Day 3 of the second Ashes Test
- Lyon, 35, picked up a calf injury in a major concern for the Australian team
Australia have provided a further update to the fitness of Nathan Lyon, confirming that the spinner has suffered a ‘significant calf strain’.
The spin bowler, 35, hobbled off in distress on Day 2 of the second Ashes Test on Thursday, with Cricket Australia later revealing he had sustained an injury to his right calf.
Aussie cricket fans have collectively held their breath over Lyon’s fitness, with many fearing that his Ashes series is over, but Australia have yet to rule him out for the next three Tests.
Lyon was playing his 100th consecutive Test match for his country this week and his ability to control the bowling attack and hold down an end has proved crucial for the Aussies in years gone by.
His influence was further highlighted at Edgbaston last week when his masterful bowling helped contain Bazball, while he helped hit the winning runs with captain Pat Cummins.
Nathan Lyon has arrived at Lord’s on crutches ahead of Day 3 of the second Ashes Test
The veteran spinner was forced off with a right calf injury during Day 2 in London
Australia may have to wait some time to determine the full extent of Lyon’s injury, given he was yet to be booked in for scans on Thursday evening.
But in a series already full of comparisons to the brilliant 2005 Ashes, the fear for Australia would already be that this is their Glenn McGrath moment.
McGrath’s rolled ankle turned the series after he trod on an errant ball before play on day one at Edgbaston, allowing England to fight back after a big first Test loss.
The ramifications of Lyon’s right calf injury at Lord’s could also be monumental.
Travis Head and Steve Smith shared overs on Thursday evening, but neither will pose the same threat as Lyon in the fourth innings of this match.
‘It’s not ideal, particularly your spin bowler,’ Smith said.
The severity of the injury remains unclear in what could be a huge blow for Australia
‘It’s a (one-person) role. Batters I suppose there’s loads of us around so it’s a bit different. Obviously Nathan, if he’s no good, he’d be a huge loss.
‘However Todd Murphy is waiting in the wings. He has been bowling beautifully in the nets and bowled really well in India when he got his opportunity as well.
‘I’d be confident if he came in he’d do a terrific job for us, but fingers crossed Nathan’s alright.’
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