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Ashes

Touch football session goes awry as Nathan Lyon twists ankle

by Wisden Staff 2 minute read

Nathan Lyon, the Australia off-spinner, had an injury scare while playing touch football during a training session on Wednesday, August 28, ahead of their three-day tour game against Derbyshire.

According to reports, Lyon twisted his ankle and limped off the field with Australia’s team doctor Richard Saw. The news was later confirmed by cricket.com.au, but they added that the injury wasn’t serious, and Lyon had left the session only as a precautionary measure.

This isn’t the first time a player is being injured playing another sport in training – last year, Jonny Bairstow picked up a similar injury while kicking around a football at a warm-up session during the ODIs against Sri Lanka.

The Australians also announced their playing XI for the clash against Derbyshire, with Usman Khawaja set to captain the side. Steve Smith will make a comeback, having missed the third Test after being hit on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer at Lord’s.

Mitchell Starc, who is yet to feature in the Tests, will also take the field, while Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper-batsman, is to don the gloves, even though he hasn’t officially been named in Australia’s Ashes squad.

Nathan Lyon twisted his ankle while playing touch football

Nathan Lyon twisted his ankle while playing touch football

Carey will continue to be available for Sussex Sharks after the three-day match, but will have to miss their clash against Gloucestershire.

The fourth Ashes Test will begin in Manchester on September 4.

Australia XI v Derbyshire: Usman Khawaja (c), Cameron Bancroft, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Michael Neser, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, Matthew Wade.

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