Nathan Lyon (Photo Source: Twitter)
Australia‘s veteran spinner Nathan Lyon opened up on his series-ending calf injury which he endured during the second Ashes Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Notably, Lyon became the first bowler to feature in 100 consecutive Test matches before disaster struck, as he tore his right calf upon which he was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series.
In a recent interaction, Lyon revisited the moment wherein he sustained the injury while fielding during the English batting innings at Lord’s.
“I actually tried to get the spider-cam moved just before that ball and tried to get Chris Gaffaney the umpire to move it. Then I went back and (England opener Ben) Duckett played the pull shot, got a top edge and I went to take off and I just heard this little gun shot and just felt it go straight away. I knew straight away my series was done there and then,” said Lyon on ‘The Willow Talk Podcast’.
“I felt it straight in the calf. I was confident I would have caught that catch if I was able to push off my right foot. I remember Uzzie (Usman Khawaja) running over saying ‘what’s up … you got a cramp?’ and I said ‘nup, I’ve just blown my calf to bits. The emotions set in, then I sat in the changerooms for the next three and a half days,” he added.
Australia gunning to take unassailable lead
Following the win at Lord’s, Lyon was ruled out for the remainder of the series and returned back to Australia so as to recover in time for the start of Australia’s domestic season in late September. The veteran spinner claimed nine wickets in the two Tests which included two four-wicket hauls.
Speaking about the series, Australia are 2-1 up and will be raring to extend their lead in the forthcoming Test, slated to be played from Wednesday, July 19 at Old Trafford in Manchester.