Englishman's brutal sledge after heartbreaking Nathan Lyon gaffe

Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has rejoiced in seeing Nathan Lyon blow his chance to win the third Ashes Test for Australia.

Lyon had the Ashes on his fingertips when a horrible mix-up between Ben Stokes and Jack Leach handed the Aussies a relatively simple runout chance.

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Needing one wicket to win and leading by just two runs, Pat Cummins lobbed a bounce throw to Lyon at the non-striker’s end, but the off-spinner couldn’t hold on and complete the runout.

Leach was way out of his ground when all Lyon had to do was catch the ball and break the stumps.

However he couldn’t do so, and England cashed in with one of the most remarkable victories in Test cricket history.

Prior takes joy in Lyon’s heartbreak

Amid Lyon’s devastation, Prior couldn’t contain his excitement.

The former Test star took to Twitter, posting ‘Nathan Lyon’ alongside a wide-eyes emoji and the hashtags #mothercricket and #sleepwell.

Prior and Lyon have history and the Englishman might still be fuming about comments from the Aussie in 2017.

Lyon said Prior was “scared” throughout the 2013/14 Ashes series in Australia, which Prior left prematurely due to stress-related issues.

“It was an unbelievable feeling knowing that they were broken,” Lyon said.

“Leading into Perth we knew that they were, we knew Matt Prior wanted to fly home before the game started and he was one of the senior players.

“He was scared. It’s four years ago. I think he’s all right now.”

Prior was seething over the remarks.

“Last time someone spouted a whole load of BS about me I stayed quiet not this time,” he tweeted at the time.

“To be clear I may have been playing badly fair enough but there was no way I was getting on a plane home.

“You’ve embarrassed yourself @NathLyon421 & this game has a funny way of biting back.”

Perhaps that’s exactly what’s happened.

Stokes completes Ashes miracle

Stokes once again made the unprecedented and unbelievable look easy, reeling in a record-breaking target of 359 to win the third Test by one wicket and rock Australia's hopes of retaining the Ashes.

The tourists came agonisingly close to a 2-0 series lead, which would have ensured Tim Paine became the first touring captain to retain the urn in England since 2001.

Australia, devoid of morale and momentum after Stokes' unbeaten 135 meant England completed their highest chase in Test history, must instead reset with this week's tour game in Derby before the five-Test series continues at Old Trafford on Wednesday week.

England, skittled for 67 in their first dig, required 73 runs from Stokes and Leach's final-wicket stand after a collapse of 5-41 on a topsy-turvy fourth day at Headingley.

Leach scored a single run as Stokes outdid Ian Botham's 1981 Ashes heroics, hogging strike during a six-hitting rampage that featured a couple of chances.

with AAP