Australia started day four with a lead of 221. But after a good first hour, they capitulated to England’s short-ball tactic. If England’s collapse on day three to a succession of short balls was dramatic, Australia’s was no less as each of the wickets they lost on day four were to bumpers.

Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, and Cameron Green were caught on the boundary off pull shots, while Travis Head, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood were out fending to close-in catchers. From 187-2, Australia slipped to 264-9 within two sessions.

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With Lyon injured and walking on crutches before play, everyone’s eyes turned towards the pavilion at the fall of the ninth wicket to see if he would come out to bat or not. His participation in the remainder of the series is in doubt, with the calf injury a significant one.As it happened, Lyon did come out to bat to loud cheers from the crowd.

He was visibly struggling as he hobbled out to the middle. Australia had a lead of 355 when the ninth wicket fell and could have decided to declare the innings. However, they saw fit to maximize the target they could give to England in the fourth innings and went ahead with the decision of sending Lyon into bat.

“All standing to applaud the bravery, the commitment, the dedication to his team’s cause,” said Eoin Morgan on air as the entire Lord’s crowd stood up to acknowledge the selfless act by Lyon.

Watch Nathan Lyon hobble out to bat at No.11 to a standing ovation from the Lord’s crowd:

Fair play Nathan Lyon 👏 #EnglandCricket | #Ashes pic.twitter.com/ZiqstQkU16

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 1, 2023