Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon opened up about his frustration at being sidelined by injury during the final three Ashes Tests. Lyon sustained a calf injury while attempting a catch at fine leg on the second day of the second Test. This unfortunate incident led to his absence from the remainder of the series.
Before his injury, Lyon had been in remarkable form claiming nine wickets at an impressive average of 29.33. His performance included two four-wicket hauls. Regrettably, his absence played a significant role in England’s resurgence, as they managed to level the series 2-2. They were initially behind 0-2.
In an interview with cricket.com.au, Nathan Lyon expressed his belief that his presence on the field could have made a crucial difference.
“I don’t want to come across as arrogant or anything, but with Jack Leach out at the start of the series, I felt like I could be the difference between the two teams. I felt like there was a chance for me to be the deciding factor between the two sides,” Lyon explained.
Lyon remains optimistic about his recovery progress and expressed his gratitude.
“It’s coming along nicely. It’s my first time in rehab, so it’s a new experience, but I have the full backing of New South Wales Cricket and Cricket Australia, so everything is going well. I’m tired of calf raises, but it should be good come summer,” he added.
Notably, the second Test at Lord’s marked a significant milestone for Nathan Lyon, as it was his 100th consecutive Test appearance. This achievement positioned him as the sixth cricketer and the first bowler to accomplish such a feat.
With a total of 496 wickets in 122 Test matches, Lyon currently holds the eighth position among the all-time leading wicket-takers in Test cricket.