Australia’s second-highest Test wicket-taker, Nathan Lyon, was forced off the field at the Adelaide Oval after injuring his right hamstring while fielding during the opening session of Day 5 of the third Ashes Test. The incident occurred on the final ball of the 77th over when Jamie Smith pulled a shot towards fine leg, where Lyon was stationed but was slow to react.
Although the off-spinner managed to stop the ball with a diving effort, he was left limping and immediately signalled for medical attention. Lyon later left the ground before the lunch interval to undergo scans at a hospital, with an Australian team official confirming that he will play no further part in the match.
He departed the Adelaide Oval on crutches before the lunch break to undergo scans but returned in time to be part of Australia’s celebrations after they sealed a 3-0 Ashes result. Nathan Lyon finished the match with five vital wickets, including three in the second innings that turned the contest Australia’s way, with captain Pat Cummins acknowledging that he would be tough to replace should he miss the Melbourne Test.
“It doesn’t look great,” captain Cummins said. “I don’t know yet, but seeing someone on crutches doesn’t really bode well for a Test match a week away. Gaz is pretty close to irreplaceable. The ability to take breakthroughs, but also control an innings is really important, so it’s going to be hard to replace.”
Lyon Injury Brings Back Lord’s Memories After Wicket Milestone
The setback revived memories of Lyon’s calf injury at Lord’s in 2023, which sidelined the 38-year-old for the next three Tests of the series that eventually ended in a draw. Earlier in the match, Lyon had gone past Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 Test wickets after removing Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett in the first innings, and he added three vital middle-order scalps in the second innings.
He then produced a stunning late spell on Day 4, dismissing Harry Brook, Ben Stokes and Zak Crawley in quick succession to put Australia firmly in command of the Test.
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