Nathan Lyon’s chances of playing any further part in the Ashes look slim after Cricket Australia confirmed he had suffered a “significant” calf strain.
Lyon had arrived on the third morning at Lord’s on crutches after he had to be helped off the pitch on Thursday evening after pulling up with a calf problem during his fielding stint in the deep.
The Australia spinner, playing his 100th consecutive Test, looked distraught as he hobbled around the boundary edge and, when he joined his team-mates at the ground on Friday morning, his reliance on crutches raised alarm bells over his chances of being fit for the last three Tests of the series.
A Cricket Australia spokesperson said: “Nathan Lyon has been diagnosed with a significant calf strain. He will require a period of rehabilitation after this match is concluded.
“A decision regarding his availability for the remainder of the series will be made at the conclusion of the game.”
Lyon had a scan on Thursday night before a further assessment took place ahead of day three getting under way, but no grading has been attached to his calf strain.
The 35-year-old also wore a compression sock on the pitch ahead of play and it now seems almost impossible that he will be able to influence the ongoing match, despite not being ruled out of batting.
With a three-day turnaround before the third Test at Headingley, Lyon is expected to miss out and the congested schedule of this Ashes could mean his series is over.
Team-mate Steve Smith admitted he was not optimistic when asked about the injury at the end of day two.
“Obviously it didn’t look good,” he said.
“I mean it doesn’t look ideal for the rest of the game. I’m not sure how he actually is, but if he is no good, it is obviously a big loss for us.
“Fingers crossed he is okay but it didn’t look good.”
Australia have three part-time spinners who may be asked to pick up a share of the workload over the next three days, with Smith joined by Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne.
Todd Murphy, 22, made his debut during the away series in India earlier this year and would be in line for a promotion if Lyon is ruled out of the Ashes as anticipated.
