Nathan Lyon calls out Kevin Pietersen over 'disgraceful' commentary claim

Nathan Lyon has blasted claims he went out to bat injured at No.11 in the risk of being concussed after English great Kevin Pietersen made the bizarre hypothetical theory during commentary. Pietersen has been critical of the English cricket team and how they have approached the second test so far with Ben Stokes' men facing a mammoth ask on day 5 against Australia.

However, instead of praising Lyon for a moment of courage - reminiscent of South Africa's Graeme Smith in Australia when he came out with a broken hand in 2009 - he took aim at Australia's tactics in a bizarre manner. Lyon did not bowl in Australia second innings having suffered what appears to be an Ashes ending calf injury on day 2.

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Australia were desperate for every run at nine down and Lyon emerged from the sheds. The spinner put on a 15-run partnership with Mitchell Starc, which took England's run chase to 371. The effort won him a standing ovation from Lord's and even a chant of his nickname Garry from sections of the crowd after he hit a four to help Australia set England a fourth-innings target of 371.

On his approach back through the long-room the members applauded Lyon for his effort. However, not everyone thought Lyon's move was sheer guts. Pietersen was critical of the spinner's decision to bat and questioned what would happen if Lyon was hit on the head and concussed amid England's bouncer attack.

“Imagine if he (Lyon) had been hit on the head and got concussion, he’d have got a like-for-like replacement and a world-class spinner (Murphy), based on how he performed in India, it gives food for thought,” Pietersen said.

Pietersen was pointing out that a concussion would see Lyon substituted for Todd Murphy who could then bowl in the in the second innings. Pietersen moved to clarify that he wasn't suggesting Australia had done anything wrong.

This didn't sit well with Lyon who hit out at the commentary after play, given the Australian team's trauma following Phillip Hughes' 2014 death. Lyon played 13 Tests with Hughes, and was on the field at the SCG the day he was struck.

"I have heard comments that people thought I went out there to get hit in the head," Lyon said. "I'm really against that because I've lost one of my mates due to being hit in the head. So I think that's a really poor excuse or conversation being had."

Cricket fans were also left surprised by Pietersen's commentary moment and called out the English great for his lack of judgement.

Nathan Lyon devastated after calf injury

Despite going out to bat for Australia, Lyon admitted he has been in tears over what looms as a series ending calf injury for the spinner."It's been a lot more down than up," Lyon said.

"I have been absolutely shattered. I have been in tears, I have been upset, I have been hurting. That shows this team means everything to me.

"And I will start this rehab journey now to get back and play my role and keep loving what I am able to do."

Lyon's wounded effort on Saturday was reminiscent of that Rick McCosker batting with a broken jaw in the 1977 Centenary Test, helping Australia to a 45-run victory.

with AAP

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