In a move that showcased utmost courage and heart, Kangaroo off-spinner Nathan Lyon came out to bat during the penultimate day of the ongoing second Test of the 2023 Ashes despite having sustained a significant injury to his leg.
The 35-year-old was not expected to bat at all after tearing his right calf while trying to prevent a boundary for Australia on the second day of the 2nd Test. He had been deemed unfit for further participation in the game thereafter.
However, as soon as Josh Hazelwood turned up to bat at number 10, Lyon put his pads and helmet on and hobbled down the stairs, readying to bat in case Hazlewood fell.
Only three deliveries into his innings, Josh hit one straight into the hands of England batter Joe Root at short-leg, bringing Gazza to the crease.
Nathan Lyon took an eternity to limp his way from the hallway onto the batting pitch, throughout which the Lord’s crowd gave him a thunderous, almost deafening applause.
Fair play Nathan Lyon 👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ZiqstQkU16
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2023
Rehan Ahmed that is just ridiculous 😆👏
Look at Nathon Lyon 😱😯#EnglandCricket | #Ashes |#Ashes23 |#ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/a6rw6GudTp— Sporting_venture (@Sporting_ventur) July 1, 2023
“Nathan has been diagnosed with a significant calf strain. He’ll require a period of rehabilitation after this match is concluded. Decision regarding his availability for the remainder of the series will be made at the conclusion of the game,” official statement from CA had read on Friday.
Ditching the crutches ft. Nathan Lyon
For the unversed, the Australian spin-king, who became the first bowler to play 100 consecutive Tests this game, had been reliant on crutches for the last two days. Even today, he had arrived at the ground on crutches.
Regardless, Nathan Lyon ditched them and chose to risk his body for his nation, adding 15 invaluable runs for the last wicket alongside Mitchell Starc. The one-legged spinner even pulled Stuart Broad for a boundary before falling prey to him.
Skipper Pat and rest of the Aussie dugout were seen applauding their veteran spinner for each of the thirteen (13) deliveries he battled through.
Cricket fans from all across the globe have hailed the cricketer for his fighting spirit and dedication. Some such tweets have been attached here:
Nathan Lyon arrived at Lord’s on crutches and here he is now giving it his everything. This bloody game really does separate champions from ordinary people!#Ashes #Ashes2023 #ENGvsAUS pic.twitter.com/9pr3Kx0Wcn
— OmniscientQuester (@Iammysterious24) July 1, 2023
Standing ovation from Lord's crowd for Nathan Lyon.
A moment to remember in Ashes. pic.twitter.com/W4vZHqhHUE
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 1, 2023
Pleasing to the eyes 😍
The Lyon-Hearted is in the middle 🙌🦁#SonySportsNetwork #ENGvAUS #Ashes2023 #NathanLyon | @NathLyon421 pic.twitter.com/CSHdGBSrr9
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 1, 2023
can't plant his foot properly, risking his career ,comes out to bat.
It's painful to watch him struggle.
Nothing but respect for this Man#nathanlyon#Ashes pic.twitter.com/AvX8Ajj7cy— I'm Bored So I .. (@WITNTITS) July 1, 2023
The 15-run last-wicket stand between Nathan Lyon and Mitch Starc has helped Pat Cummins and co. set a 371 run target for England.
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If or not his bold effort proves to be the difference between the two sides notwithstanding, Nathan Lyon has surely etched his name into the ever-growing memoirs of the iconic tussle between the Kangaroos and the Englishmen; famously called THE ASHES.