By Malcolm Conn
Nathan Lyon has taken offence at former England batsman Kevin Pietersen’s suggestion the injured spinner could have been hit in the head while batting during the second Test so Australia could replace him with a concussion sub.
“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,” Lyon said, referring to the tragic death of Phil Hughes almost a decade ago. “So I think that’s a really poor excuse or conversation being had.”
Lyon, clearly in pain, attempts to run for a single.Credit: Getty
Pietersen, one of Australia’s greatest Ashes foes during his career, floated the suggestion after Lyon hobbled out to bat on Saturday with a badly injured right calf that is likely to end his tour and open the door for fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy to make his debut.
“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 Todd Murphy, based on how he performed in India, it gives food for thought,” Pietersen said on Sky sports.
Hughes collapsed on the pitch after being struck in the neck by a short ball playing a Sheffield Shield match for South Australia against New South Wales at the SCG during November 2014 and died in hospital two days later.
Lyon was clearly emotional during his press conference after play on Saturday where he discussed the implications of his injury and the likelihood of his tour being over. He was playing his 100th consecutive Test and needs four more wickets to reach the 500 wicket milestone.
“It’s been a lot down more than up. I have been absolutely shattered. I have been in tears, I have been upset, I have been hurting,” he said. “That shows this team means everything to me. And I will start this rehab journey now to get back and play my role and keep loving what I am able to do.
“I’ve got a decent tear in my right calf. It is pretty obvious. I am sitting down with our medical team tomorrow and we will have a chat about that. Pretty shattering, pretty gutted. Pretty speechless if I am being honest. But I have a lot of confidence in that changeroom and just thrilled to be part of this team.
“This is just a little speed bump in the road. This isn’t career-defining. I am hungrier than ever to get back out there, especially when you see your teammates out there busting your guts this afternoon. It’s disappointing from my end and the guys will keep going on and we will go from there.”
Lyon was forced to wait in the Long Room before going out to bat because it would have taken him too long to get to the crease if he’d had to make his way from the dressing room.
“I would have been timed out,” he said. “The lifts here are pretty slow, so I had to go down the stairs. It was interesting being in the long room rather than the pavilion waiting to bat. It was like being in the zoo, a lot of eyes were on me watching what we were doing, what we were talking about. But I’ll do anything for this team,” he said.
While he was there Lyon ended up having a conversation with Jimmy Anderson confirming the convivial nature of this otherwise hard-fought tour.
“He asked me if I was stupid, I said yes. Then I just said to him, ‘I may have to do a you and go to 40 (years of age),’” Lyon said.
“He said if you keep loving the game, and keep trying to get better, there’s no reason why you can’t. That was a nice little moment with Jimmy. I’ve got a lot of respect for what he’s done. He’s an incredible role model in world cricket for so many.”
Lyon claimed it was his decision to bat despite being so badly injured.
“I’ve been having conversations since it happened with our medical team,” he said. “I knew the risks. But the way I look at it, as I said before, I’ll do anything for this team. You never know how big a 15-run partnership can be in an Ashes series. I’m proud of myself for going out there and doing that, but if it’s tomorrow, I’ll do it again.”
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