Lyon had suffered a significant calf strain during the match on Thursday, but his presence became crucial as Australia lost wickets at regular intervals due to a fiery spell of short-pitched bowling from the English bowlers. With his team reeling at 264/9 after losing key wickets, Lyon’s arrival was met with a wave of applause and admiration from the spectators.
The ordeal for Lyon began after the lunch break when Australia lost Cameron Green and Alex Carey in quick succession to Ollie Robinson‘s deliveries. The skipper, Pat Cummins, also fell victim to Stuart Broad, while England captain Ben Stokes claimed the wicket of Josh Hazlewood, leaving the Australian team in a precarious position. The entire crowd at Lord’s rose to their feet to acknowledge Lyon’s bravery as he walked out to the middle.
Here is the video:
Fair play Nathan Lyon#EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ZiqstQkU16
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2023
However, it was evident that the seasoned off-spinner was struggling to run even a single due to the visible pain caused by his injury. The discomfort became more apparent when Mitchell Starc‘s shot, which seemed destined for a six, was brilliantly stopped by substitute fielder Rehan Ahmed.
Following the single, Lyon took a moment to recover, prompting concerned reactions from his teammate Cummins in the dressing room. Despite his evident pain, Lyon managed to stay at the crease for a short period, scoring four runs off 13 balls before being dismissed by Broad.
Nevertheless, Lyon’s efforts did not go unnoticed. As he made his way back to the pavilion, he received a resounding reception from the crowd and his teammates, who recognized his unwavering determination to contribute to the team’s cause, even in the face of adversity.
The video capturing Lyon’s brave effort has been widely shared on social media, garnering praise from cricket fans around the world. His display of grit and resilience serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of athletes who push beyond their physical limits to support their team.
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