Due to a calf injury, Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon will miss the rest of the 2023 Ashes. The 35-year-old was fielding on the second day of the Lord’s Test when he sustained what he called a “decent tear.” He didn’t bowl again, but he did bat with a limp and combine with Mitchell Starc to score 15 runs for the final wicket in the second innings. Australia won the Test by a score of 43 runs and now leads the series, 2-0.
Lyon’s 100th consecutive Test for Australia came in this second match of the series. Only Alastair Cook, Allan Border, Mark Waugh, Sunil Gavaskar, and Brendon McCullum had accomplished this before him; it is a mark of both consistency and physical fitness.
For the Headingley Test, which begins on Thursday (July 6), Australia will almost certainly insert offspinner Todd Murphy into the XI in place of Lyon. The 22-year-old made waves on his first international trip to India earlier this year, as he took 14 wickets in four Tests at an average of only 25.21. at his first professional game, he scored seven wickets at Nagpur.
Meanwhile, Australia has omitted Matt Renshaw from the squad for the third Test, which should be interpreted as a vote of confidence in the team’s batting as well as the form of opener David Warner, who scored a crucial 66 on the first day of the Lord’s Test. Renshaw will remain on reserve in the United Kingdom. Michael Neser maintains his position on the 16-man bowling roster.
