Australia’s off-spinner Nathan Lyon encountered an injury scare during the second day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s. While fielding, Lyon appeared to hold his calf muscle after chasing a shot from England’s Ben Duckett. As he limped off the field, concerns grew about his immediate and future participation in the ongoing match and the upcoming Tests.

Playing in his 100th consecutive Test, Lyon’s distress was evident as he relied on crutches and wore a compression sock. Cricket Australia’s medical staff is closely monitoring his condition, but no official update has been provided yet, leaving Lyon’s series participation in doubt.

ALSO READ: WV Raman Criticizes Decision To Drop Cheteshwar Pujara From Test Squad

Steve Smith, acknowledging the severity of the injury, expressed his lack of optimism. He admitted that Lyon’s absence for the remainder of the game would be a significant loss for the Australian team. The three-day turnaround before the third Test at Headingley also makes it unlikely for Lyon to recover in time.

If Lyon is ruled out for the next match, Australia may turn to their part-time spinners, including Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, to share the workload. Alternatively, Todd Murphy could be in line for a promotion.

With Lyon’s injury, Australia faces a significant setback in their quest to retain the Ashes. Having won the first Test at Edgbaston, Pat Cummins’ side currently holds a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Lyon’s absence for an extended period would test Australia’s spin-bowling resources and their ability to maintain their dominance in the series.

Nathan Lyon, with 496 Test wickets, sits eighth on the all-time list and fourth among spinners. His injury at Lord’s came after he dismissed Zak Crawley, claiming his 496th Test wicket and ninth of the series. 

ALSO READ: Cricket West Indies Announces 18-Member Squad For Test Series Preparatory Camp

Lyon’s presence at Lord’s also marked his remarkable achievement of becoming the sixth player to feature in 100 consecutive Test matches, following in the footsteps of Allan Border and Mark Waugh. As the medical assessment continues, Lyon’s availability for the remainder of the series hangs in the balance, creating a challenging situation for Australia’s bowling unit in their bid to retain the coveted Ashes.