'It Didn’t Look Good...': Steve Smith Shares Update on Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon was taken off field quickly | Source: AP Photo
Australia's Ashes campaign has been dealt a major blow with star spinner Nathan Lyon's availability for the remainder of the series in jeopardy after he suffered a calf injury on the second day of the ongoing Lord’s Test.
The 35-year-old, who is playing in his 100th consecutive Test match, abruptly pulled up with an injury while chasing a ball in the outfield in the final session of day two.
Lyon immediately grabbed his right calf and fell to the ground, before he was assisted off the field by one of Australia's medical staff as the star spinner looked in incredible pain and did not return.
To fill in for Lyon, Travis Head took up the responsibility of bowling and sent down a few overs, while Steve Smith also made a contribution with an over. On being asked about Smith’s single-over stint, here’s what he said:
“I haven't been working on my bowling at all. I thought Heady bowled alright. Heady's probably the one that's going to have to take a fair chunk of the spin, and then maybe myself and Marnus (Labuschagne) will chop in here and there.”
Upon being asked about Lyon's injury, Smith said the severity of the injury can be big and missing Lyon will be a big blow for the team.
“Yeah, I haven't been up in the sheds yet but obviously it didn't look good. I mean it doesn't look ideal for the rest of the game. I'm not sure how he actually is, but if he is no good, it is obviously a big loss for us.”
‘We have Todd Murphy waiting’ - Smith on Lyon’s replacement
Smith, who notched up his 32nd Test century, conceded that his team will miss Lyon's services but backed young Todd Murphy, who made his debut earlier this year against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and impressed everyone with his spin ability.
"Nathan, if he is no good, would be a huge loss. However, we have Todd Murphy waiting in the wings, who has been bowling beautifully in nets and bowled really well in India when he got his opportunity.”
The loss of Lyon added to Australia's troubles on what was already a challenging day for them as England finished day two at 4-278, trailing Australia's first-innings total of 416 by 138 runs.
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