Nathan Lyon injury rocks Australia as grim Ashes reality sets in

Nathan Lyon's involvement in the Ashes series hangs in the balance after a serious-looking calf injury that looks set to rule him out of the remainder of the second Test at Lord's. Lyon was helped off the ground after fielding a ball in the final session, adding more pain to what was a disastrous day two for the Aussies.

England went to stumps on day two at 4-278 in reply to Australia's first-innings 416, with the game back in the balance after the hosts threw away three last-session wickets. That came after Steve Smith became the fastest man to reach 32 Test centuries as he joined Steve Waugh on Australia's all-time list, with only Ricky Ponting (41) having scored more red-ball tons.

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It was a rare moment of delight for the Aussies on day two as England stormed back into the contest. The already ominous-looking hosts will see a huge opportunity to benefit from the absence of Lyon, who looks set to play no further part in this match, but would also appear to be in doubt for the remainder of the series.

The 36-year-old pulled up short when charging in to attempt a catch at deep backward square, immediately clutching at his calf afterwards and limping from the field. The injury is likely to leave Australia without a frontline spinner for the rest of the match, with Smith and Travis Head sharing duties.

Lyon's injury is even crueller considering he had just reached a milestone of playing in his 100th consecutive Test, in an incredible indicator of his longevity and resilience.

The Aussies will be desperately hoping to have him back for the remainder of the five-Test series, with a minor calf strain likely to sideline him for 1-2 weeks. With the third Test following in less than a week after Lord's, it leaves the Aussies facing the stark reality of being without their off-spinning superstar for at least the next match and maybe more.

Cricket fans rocked by Nathan Lyon images

Aussies sweating on Nathan Lyon injury

Day three now looms as crucial for the Aussies, who will no doubt be sweating on scans to determine the extent of Lyon's calf injury. Fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy is part of the squad and shapes as the obvious replacement if Lyon is ruled out of the third Test at Headingley, starting next Thursday.

"Obviously it didn't look good," Smith said about Lyon's injury on day two. "It doesn't look ideal for the rest of the game. But yeah, I'm not sure how he actually is. But, you know, obviously if he's no good, it's a big loss for us.

"He's in his 100th consecutive Test match, which I know he was really looking forward to taking part in and having a role in as well."

Lyon's injury came after he took the sole wicket in England's innings until that point, outsmarting Zak Crawley on 48 and having him stumped down legside. The wicket moved him to 496 in his career, and at that point it appeared as if the 500 milestone could come this week.

England lose three quick wickets after superb start

England could have added much more insult to Lyon's injury after romping to 1-188 at one stage. However, the home side lost three quick wickets to allow the Aussies back into the contest.

Ollie Pope (42 runs), Ben Duckett (98) and Joe Root (10) were all caught playing the hook shot, with England's star batter Root having also been caught behind on one trying to hook a Cameron Green no-ball. Pope sent a Green bouncer to Smith at backward-square on 42, Duckett hit Josh Hazlewood down Warner's throat on 98 and Root was neatly caught by Smith behind square off Mitchell Starc on 10.

The three quick wickets saw England go from a position of dominance to leave the Test delicately poised heading into the third day. How the Aussies cope without Lyon could largely determine how the remainder of the series pans out.

with agencies

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