‘Esa nhi hona chahiye tha’- Fans react as Nathan Lyon arrives at Lord’s on crutches ahead of third day of Ashes Test

On Day 2 of the second Ashes Test on Thursday, Nathan Lyon walked out in pain, with Cricket Australia later admitting he had injured his right calf. The spinner arrived on crutches at Lord’s on Friday, a troubling omen for Australia. The extent of the injury is unknown, but Lyon was seen with crutches when he arrived at the Home of Cricket on Friday, while Australia collectively waits for his return.

Nathan Lyon was playing his 100th consecutive Test match for his country this week, and his ability to direct the bowling assault and hold down an end has been critical for the Australians in the past. Only seven other players in the game’s history have accomplished the same accomplishment. He picked up Zak Crawley for 48 on Thursday.

But his historic Test was marred when he collapsed while fielding. He required the assistance of a physiotherapist to leave the field, prompting Australia skipper Pat Cummins to bowl part-time spinner Travis Head. His impact was underscored even more at Edgbaston last week when his excellent bowling helped control Bazball and he supported skipper Pat Cummins to win the first Ashes test match.

We’re going to miss him: Steve Smith

Smith gave an update on Lyon’s fitness after Thursday’s play. He said: “We’re going to miss him for this game and could miss him for quite a while. It didn’t look good. It would be a big loss for us… Fingers crossed he is OK.”

“It’s a (one-person) role. Batters I suppose there’s loads of us around so it’s a bit different. Obviously, Nathan, if he’s no good, he’d be a huge loss. “However Todd Murphy is waiting in the wings. He has been bowling beautifully in the nets and bowled really well in India when he got his opportunity as well.” Australia has three part-time spinners who might be asked to share the overs in the next three days, with Smith joined by Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, but if Lyon is ruled out of the following match, Todd Murphy might be called up to replace in the third test.

Here’s how fans reacted to Nathan Lyon’s injury: 

https://twitter.com/ramIT_cr7/status/1674706773763305474?s=20

https://twitter.com/mysondaniel86is/status/1674710593255743488?s=20

Life is so fickle, day before yesterday we were celebarting his 100th consecutive test appearence and now we are uncertain wheather he will play next games or not.

— Yash. (@yashhverse) June 30, 2023

Played 100 tests without any injury and got injured on his 100th test

— Rahul (@UTD_Rahul) June 30, 2023

Not a happy sight.
Get well soon champ

— Dr Sagar Garg (@DrGumsNProbes) June 30, 2023

Meri ek tang nakli hai.. main cricket ka boht nda player tha…

— SamV (@sarcastic_verma) June 30, 2023

Bad news for aussie

— Rishav Baghel (@ImRcbians) June 30, 2023

https://twitter.com/screwgauge77/status/1674708043744026624?s=20