Nathan Lyon injury update: will Todd Murphy replace Lyon in Australia Ashes squad? Injury explained

Nathan Lyon was forced off the pitch during the second day of the Lord’s Ashes Test match. On Thursday 29 June, the Australian spinner pulled up awkwardly while fielding and was soon hobbling to the boundary with the help of medical staff.

It has now been confirmed that Lyon has suffered a “significant” calf strain and Australia’s media manager Cole Hitchcock said the off-spinner would require a “period of rehabilitation after this match is concluded”. It is now been confirmed he will miss the remainder of the Ashes series in order to recover.

The 35-year-old is on 496 Test wickets and could well have been on the way to 500 if he had been able to continue. Despite being unable to bowl, the spinner came back to the grass on the fourth day to bat down the order. He managed four runs from 13 balls before beating caught off Broad.

Australia are now 2-0 up in the Ashes series following an exceptionally controversial final day of play at Lord’s which saw Jonny Bairstow dismissed in one of the most bizarre fashions. There is now a three day break before the next Test starts on Thursday.

What’s been said?

Lyon has said: “I’ve been extremely lucky with injuries. I’ve been around since August 2011 and we’ve had 126 Test matches and I’ve played 122 of them. This is just a little speed bump in the road. This isn’t career-defining. I am hungrier than ever to get back out there.”

Australia’s coach Andrew McDonald said: “As you saw (on Sunday) at certain times we had to do it differently without Nathan Lyon down the other end, which we’ve been so used to. At times it looked a little bit chaotic so we do like to have that spin option.”

Who will replace Lyon?

Travis Head has been bowling in place of Lyon in this match but Todd Murphy is the only other full-time spinner in Australia’s squad. If there is an injury, Australia could call someone over but as Murphy has been hailed as the successor to Lyon’s off-spin throne it seems unlikely they will opt to bring in a fresh face out the blue.

Murphy debuted in a two-pronged spin attack when Australia toured India earlier this year. The 22-year-old ended the series with 14 wickets and an average of 25.21.

His teammate Smith has said: “Todd has been bowling beautifully in nets and bowled really well in India when he got his opportunity. I would be confident if he came in that we would do a terrific job for us.”

Murphy’s head coach McDonald said: “His stock ball is good enough in international cricket. We have seen that in India in arguably the hardest place to bowl spin. It will be a different challenge with the England batters.

“If they do come at him, it provides Todd with a decent challenge. But a chance to leave his footmarks here in England. It is a big Ashes series, he is excited by the opportunity.”

How to watch The Ashes

Fans can tune into Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Cricket to watch all the action from Lord’s. The BBC also offer a highlights show at 7pm after each day’s play for those unable to catch the action live.

The third Test takes place from Thursday 6 July in Headingley and will conclude on Monday 10 July if all five days are required.