Playing in his 100th straight Test, Australia's frontline spinner Nathan Lyon was forced off the pitch after suffering a suspected calf injury in the second match of the ongoing Ashes series against England at The Lord's on Thursday, June 29. The off-spinner was helped off the field after attempting a catch at fine-leg which left him feeling sore. He then left the field of play.
After stumps, Lyon's teammate and centurion of the first innings Steve Smith shared an update on the spinner's condition, saying, "I haven't been up in the sheds yet, but obviously it didn't look good. It doesn't look ideal for the rest of the game. I'm not sure how he actually is. But obviously, if he's no good, it's a big loss for us."
"He's in his 100th consecutive Test match, which I know he was really looking forward to taking part in and having a role in as well. Fingers crossed he's OK, but it didn't look good."
If the 35-year-old Lyon has a torn calf, it's a two-month injury and he will miss the rest of the five-match Ashes series.
He was key in Australia's opening victory over England, taking eight wickets, and also took the first wicket in the second test on Thursday, sending Zak Crawley back to the pavilion.
"It's not ideal, particularly your spin bowler. But Nathan, if he's no good, he'd be a huge loss," said Smith.
Smith referenced the concussion in the Leeds Test in 2019, which England went on to win under dramatic circumstances and level the series. "For batters, I suppose there are loads of us around, so it's a bit different," Smith said reflecting on his absence from the Headingley Test four years ago.
In his absence, Todd Murphy might be drafted into the playing XI for the third Test in Leeds, Headingley. Murphy made his debut in the Border-Gavaskar trophy earlier in the year and if overnight scans are worrying, then the 22-year-old might be in line to make his Ashes debut.
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