Australian spinner Nathan Lyon will miss the rest of the second Ashes Test against England at Lord’s after straining his right calf.
Lyon was hurt while running to the ball after tea on day two. He took England’s first wicket.
Cricket Australia called the strain “significant” in a statement on Friday night AEST during play on day three. The statement didn’t say how long he will be out for.
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“He will require a period of rehabilitation after this match is concluded,” it said. “A decision regarding his availability for the remainder of the series will be made at the conclusion of the game.”
Lyon arrived at Lord’s on crutches on Friday, and on the field he received a consoling pat from England captain Ben Stokes after the Australia team huddle before play began.
Lyon’s injury leaves Australia down to three specialist bowlers, all quicks, plus all-rounder Cameron Green. The spin options are specialist batters Travis Head, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne. They have a combined 39 wickets compared to Lyon’s 496.
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Australia has a ready-made spin backup in the squad in 22-year-old Todd Murphy, who made his debut on the tour of India in February and played all four tests. He took 14 wickets, including Virat Kohli four times, at an average of 25.21.
Murphy looks set to make his Ashes debut in the third test at Headingley starting next Thursday.
Nevertheless, if Lyon’s absence extends to the series, it will be a blow to Australia’s hopes of winning the Ashes in England for the first time since 2001.
He was considered practically indestructible having become only the sixth man to play 100 consecutive tests at Lord’s. That sequence covers the past decade, when he has taken more test wickets than anyone, 420.
Lyon’s ability to hold down one end for long periods allowed the seamers to rotate in quick order.
He took a team-best eight wickets at Edgbaston last week but also showed his batting ability by combining with Pat Cummins in an unbeaten stand of 55 to get Australia to the target and win by two wickets.
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