Australia's veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has often played the part of the nightwatchman. On Day 1 of the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, he was ready to go out again if Australia lost their second wicket. Lyon did not want to wait in the dressing room and went to the nets for a practice session which led to the lights going out twice at the venue. He requested the secruity personnel to turn on the lights in the nets but he pressed the wrong button twice leading to play getting interrupted as floodlights went off at Adelaide Oval.
“Yes, I couldn't believe that. I was with our assistant coach sitting out there in the dark. I asked the security guy if he could switch on the lights in the middle it would be great. And in the next minute, it (the whole ground) went off. And I said to Boroughs (assistant coach) ‘he hit the wrong switch'. He said ‘nah' and then we sat in the dark for 15 minutes in nets waiting to take a hit,” Lyon said in the commentary box of 7Cricket during Day 1 of the third Test at the Gabba Brisbane.
The interruption took place during young fast bowler Harshit Rana's over. He was left frustrated and the second interruption led to Indian players gathering in the middle. The spectators at the venue turned on their flashlights as the lights went off for the second time.
Lyon's run in Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 so far
The 37-year-old spinner Lyon did not have much to do with the ball in the pink-ball Test. As pacers dominated the proceedings, he bowled just one over and conceded six runs. Australia dominated India and won the second Test by 10 wickets and level the series 1-1.
In the first Test at the Perth Stadium, his services were needed in the second innings as India piled on runs. His two wickets were middle-order batters Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar. He went for 96 runs from 39 overs in the second innings.
Lyon's record in Gabba
However, Lyon has a good record in Gabba. He is only the third bowler to take 50 or more wickets at the venue. He has 51 wickets at an average of 28.31. He hasn't taken a fifer at the Gabba so far. Only Shane Warne (68 wickets) and Glenn McGrath (65) have more wickets than Lyon at The Gabba in the format.
Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bowl first in the third Test. Rain interrupted play in the first session when Australia were 28 for no loss.
