‘I’d do anything for this team’: Nathan Lyon cements Ashes legacy with courageous Lord’s knock

When the injured Nathan Lyon hobbled out of the Lord’s Pavilion on Saturday, it was immediately apparent to every spectator they were about to witness something special.

When the injured Nathan Lyon hobbled out of the Lord’s Pavilion on Saturday afternoon, it was immediately apparent to every spectator at the venue they were about to witness something special.

Lyon, who suffered a “significant” calf strain on Thursday, couldn’t put any weight on his right leg — earlier that day, he had arrived at St John’s Wood on crutches.

Yet despite being unable to walk, let alone run, the 35-year-old gingerly limped out at No. 11 in Australia’s second innings, adding 15 crucial runs with Mitchell Starc for the tenth wicket in a career-defining act of courage.

Australia’s lead was 355 when England captain Ben Stokes claimed the ninth wicket of Josh Hazlewood — believing the innings was over, Starc started sprinting towards the sheds, only to be greeted in the outfield by a wounded Lyon.

“I had to go down and wait down in the Long Room because otherwise I would have been timed out,” Lyon later explained to reporters at stumps.

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Nathan Lyon of Australia walks out to bat. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The spectators stood and applauded as Lyon slowly hobbled out towards the pitch, but former England captain Andrew Strauss questioned whether it was necessary.

“It begs the question, what’s the point?” Strauss asked on Sky Sports commentary.

“He’s not going to be able to run any singles.

“It’s all very well showing bravery getting out there, but if you can’t score a run, it’s utterly pointless.”

Fair play Nathan Lyon 👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashespic.twitter.com/ZiqstQkU16

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2023

Incredible. Nathan Lyon is hobbling out to bat to a standing ovation. Lead is 355, Starc thought they were all out!

— Will Macpherson (@willis_macp) July 1, 2023

What’s the point in this ?
Are Australia that scared of our batting

— Matthew hoggard (@Hoggy602) July 1, 2023

Lyon pulled his first delivery towards deep square leg — but the off-spinner didn’t bother attempting the regulation single. The following over, Starc slapped a bouncer from Stuart Broad towards the boundary rider but didn’t move from the striker’s end, prompting boos from sections of the crowd.

On the final delivery of Broad’s over, Starc nailed a hook shot that flew towards the square leg boundary, only for lunging substitute fielder Rehan Ahmad to prevent six runs with a superb piece of athleticism.

Lyon begrudgingly scampered through for the single, but he doubled over in agony after completing the 22-year dash. Australian captain Pat Cummins covered his face in disbelief from the viewing balcony, wincing at the sight of his suffering teammate.

“This just seems foolhardy to me … this is a guy’s career potentially on the line here,” Strauss continued.

“Australia will argue that any runs these two make will be runs that England have to get, and it’s therefore worthwhile … it’s painful to watch though, I must admit.”

Rehan Ahmed that is just ridiculous 😆👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashespic.twitter.com/NaxtuUD7X7

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2023

England’s bowlers continued peppering Lyon with bouncers, never targeting his stumps — the New South Welshman was forced to swivel awkwardly on his wrong foot when pulling through the leg side.

At the non-striker’s end, he would lean on his bat for physical support, treating it almost like a cane.

“He’s just a sitting target,” Strauss grumbled.

“It’s hard to watch.”

Nathan Lyon had to swivel on his left foot when pulling. Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

England decided to put nine fielders on the boundary rope for Starc, but the left-hander responded by pummelling a six over deep square leg for six — more runs for England to chase in the fourth innings.

But the best was yet to come — the following over, Lyon cracked a pull shot through mid-wicket for a boundary, prompting wild applause from his Australian teammates on the balcony. Chants of “Garry, Garry” echoed around the venue as Lyon grimaced in discomfort.

The partnership reached 15 before Lyon’s valiant resistance drew to a close in the 102nd over, becoming Broad’s fourth victim of the innings after popping one straight into the air.

Lyon limped off the ground to another standing ovation, wrapping up what was quite possibly his final contribution to Ashes cricket in England.

Nathan Lyon of Australia walks from the ground to another standing ovation. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

“It makes you feel so proud, actually,” former Australian captain Mark Taylor said on Channel 9.

“Well done to the England cricket fans. They’re all on their feet here, I’m sure partly to praise their own side, but they love seeing courage, they like seeing bravery.

“That’s what you saw from Nathan Lyon.

“To face short, fast bowling, in a cauldron like this, stand up and play the way he did, just for the team, was a great example for Australian cricket.”

Courtesy of Lyon’s heroics, England was tasked with chasing a 371-run target for victory in the second Ashes Test, rather than 356. Every run counts.

Nathan Lyon’s 35. He probably won’t play another Ashes Test in England. You can understand why he wants his last play in England to be this act of bravery. #Ashes

— Andrew Wu (@wutube) July 1, 2023

This is extraordinary from Gaz. As heroic as it gets on a sporting field #Ashes

— Matthew Taylor (@MattyA_Taylor) July 1, 2023

They’ll be writing songs and poems about that performance from Nathan Lyon in the end & his boundary might deserve an entire album #Ashespic.twitter.com/idc3NuWuKx

— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) July 1, 2023

Lyon, who is expected to be ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes, opened up about his calf injury during an emotional post-match press conference.

“I’ve been pretty shattered, I’ve been in tears, I’ve been upset and been hurting,” Lyon said.

“This team means everything to me. I’ll start this rehab journey now to get back, to keep playing this role. I love what I do.

“I knew the risks (of batting), but the way I look at it, I’d do anything for this team and you never know how big a 15-run partnership could be in an Ashes series. I’m proud of myself for going out and doing that, if it was tomorrow I’d do it again.”

Originally published as ‘I’d do anything for this team’: Nathan Lyon cements Ashes legacy with courageous Lord’s knock