Ashes 2023: Emotional Nathan Lyon slams 'insensitive' Kevin Pietersen, recalls late teammate Phil Hughes

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In a great show of character and grit, veteran Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon came out to bat for his team despite a severe calf injury which he suffered while fielding on the second day of ongoing second Ashes 2023 Test at Lord's in London.

Lyon was given a standing ovation by fans at the grounds. He scored four runs off 13 balls and stitched a 15-run partnership with Mitchell Starc as Australia posted a 371-run target for the hosts.

Image Courtesy: Cricket Australia

Later after his innings, Lyon explained that even a 15-run partnership could be the deciding factor in an Ashes series, adding that he was proud of putting his body on line for the team.

“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,” said Lyon, who is very likely to be ruled out of the series.

Further, Lyon also reacted to former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen's theory that a like-for-like replacement in Todd Murphy would have walked out for Lyon in case he had suffered a concussion injury after getting hit on the head.

“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] ... it gives food for thought," Pietersen said on Sky Sports.

Calling Pietersen's statement distasteful, Lyon recalled Phil Hughes, the former Australia cricketer who died after being hit on his head during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG on November 25, 2014.

Lyon was only a few meters away from Hughes when he was struck by a Sean Abbott delivery. Hughes fell on the ground and never regained consciousness. He later passed away in a hospital.

"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.

Lyon bowled only 13 overs in the first innings and didn't bowl at all in the second innings. However, the veteran of 122 Test matches, has made it clear that he still carries the dream of winning matches for Australia and the injury was career-defining.

“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, who is four short of 500 Test wickets, added.