Nathan Lyon slams Kevin Pietersen after he airs ‘obscene’ conspiracy theory

Former England star Kevin Pietersen has been torched for a “bloody obscene” and “disgraceful” suggestion about Nathan Lyon.

Only Kevin Pietersen could turn one of the most courageous moments in recent Ashes history into a controversy.

The former England batsman has been slammed for airing a “bloody obscene” conspiracy about why Nathan Lyon bravely walked out to bat in Australia’s second innings.

The beloved offspinner entrenched himself even further in the hearts of cricket fans by taking part in the match despite a significant calf strain that could keep him out of the rest of the series.

He thrilled audiences across the world by joining Mitchell Starc for a 15-run 10th wicket stand despite not being able to run between the wickets.

Lyon earned massive cheers from the Aussie dressing room when he struck a boundary and was given a standing ovation by the Lord’s members when he walked back through the pavilion.

But moments later Pietersen was airing a left-field theory about why Lyon had opted to bat with Australia’s lead already past 350.

Nathan Lyon walks off to huge applause. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Kevin Pietersen has been slammed for airing a conspiracy theory about Nathan Lyon.

Speaking in between innings on Sky Sports, Pietersen wondered whether the Australian team had asked Lyon to bat in the hope he would be hit in the head by a bouncer.

The English team was exclusively sending down short-pitched balls and if Lyon was struck by one and concussed, the laws of cricket would have allowed the visitors to replace him with a like-for-like player.

The suggestion was Australia could swap Lyon – who had no chance of taking the field for England’s run chase – with reserve spinner Todd Murphy, thus giving them an extra bowler to help push for victory.

“Imagine if he (Lyon) had been hit on the head and got concussion, he’d have got a like-for-like replacement and a world-class spinner (Murphy), based on how he performed in India, it gives food for thought,” Pietersen said.

Pietersen attempted to clarify he wasn’t accusing Australia of anything, but cricket fans voiced their displeasure on social media.

Sorry, but KP suggesting that Australia sent Nathan Lyon out there thinking he might get concussed so they can sub in a spinner is bloody obscene.

— James Buttler | Cricket Badger Podcast 🏏🦡🇺🇦 (@cricket_badger) July 1, 2023

KP suggesting Aussies sent Lyon out to get a concussion sub is a disgraceful conspiracy theory. FOH. #TheAshes

— Naz (@Nazalytics) July 1, 2023

It seems pretty ridiculous to me to suggest that anyone would try to deliberately engineer a concussion sub. Particularly not Australia given what happened to Phil Hughes.

— Stephen Orford (@SaintBiffy) July 1, 2023

#Ashes23 Pietersen spouting utter shite conspiracy theories about Australia sending Lyon out to hopefully get concussed, thus enabling a replacement spinner 🥴🤡

— The Happy Tramp (@Happy_Tramp) July 1, 2023

Lyon, who was on the field when Phillip Hughes was fatally killed by a bouncer at the SCG in 2014, took exception to the remarks.

“I have heard comments that people thought I went out there to get hit in the head and I’m really against that because I’ve lost one of my mates due to being hit in the head. So I think that’s a really poor excuse or conversation being had,” Lyon said.

Pietersen made headlines earlier in the match when he erupted at England’s performance on day one after the chose to bowl.

But this time he wasn’t alone in offering a controversial view on Lyon’s participation.

Former England skipper Andrew Strauss was another to miss the moment, ridiculing Lyon’s inability to run between the wickets instead of celebrating his involvement.

“It’s all very good to show bravery to get out there but if you can’t score a run it’s utterly pointless,” Strauss said in commentary.

“It seems foolhardy to me,” he added. “There’s a guy’s career potentially on the line here.”

Lyon basically used his bat as a walking stick as he hobbled his way out to the middle to join Mitchell Starc for the 10th wicket partnership midway through the second session.

He neatly clipped the first ball he faced from Ben Stokes to fine leg, but had to remain in his crease because he couldn’t run.

Ben Stokes congratulates Nathan Lyon as he walks off. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

It became hard to watch in the following over when it appeared Starc had cleared the boundary only for England fielder Rehan Ahmed to flick the ball back into play.

It left Lyon - who had been standing mid-pitch expecting to watch the ball go for six -hopping to get through for a single and the pain he was enduring was clear to see.

But he actually played the short ball better than plenty of his teammates before eventually being caught at midwicket to end the innings.

He helped add 15 runs for the final wicket as Australia set England a chase of 371 runs for victory. The Poms were four-down at stumps and Lyon was in an emotional mood.

“I’ve been absolutely shattered. I’ll be honest, I’ve been in tears. I’ve been upset, I’ve been hurting,” Lyon said.

“But I think that shows for me this team means everything to me and I’ll start this rehab journey now, and to get back into keep playing my role and keep loving what I’m able to do.

“This is just a little speed bump in the road, this isn’t career-defining or anything, (I’m) hungrier than ever.”