'It would have been 4-0': Lyon's Ashes claim
Nathan Lyon claims Australia would have won The Ashes series 4-0 last year had he not suffered a series-ending calf injury.
The Aussies were on the verge of a first Ashes series victory in England since 2001 when Lyon was assisted off the field by medical staff at Lord’s. The home side was trailing 2-0 after the second Test, with Brendon McCullum’s Bazballers recovered to win the third and fifth Tests to level the series.
The 36-year-old reflected on his exit at Lord’s in an interview with BBC, revealing that retaining the urn on England’s home soil in 2027 is still on his “bucket list.”
“I do believe if I was here it would have been 4-0 to Australia,” Lyon said.
The veteran spinner gave a remarkable cameo at Lord’s – having already taken nine wickets in three innings prior to his injury – in the final innings of the Test, hobbling out to the crease to bat.
“My wife, her parents and a good family friend were all in the crowd in tears,” he said.
“I probably didn’t understand the level of respect that was shown there and then.
“That’s something I’m grateful to be able to look back on and reflect. I always thought the majority of England hates me.”
Nathan Lyon fielding for Lancashire.
Lyon signed with Lancashire for the 2024 English country cricket season and was placed under the spotlight after left-arm spinner and teammate Tom Harley made a breakthrough during England’s tour of India.
“I’m not here to take Tom’s spot. I’m here to bowl with Tom in a partnership,” Lyon said.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to pass on a bit of knowledge here and there, but I’m learning from him as well.”
The spinner has been vocal about England’s belief that they have revolutionised the game with the introduction of Bazball, with Lyon claiming he is finally able to listen to his teammates discuss the aggressive batting style.
“I don’t mind hearing about it. It’s their type of cricket. I just feel like we’ve been playing entertaining cricket for a number of years now, we just don’t need to call it a name to justify it,” said Lyon.
“I’ve seen David Warner score centuries in a session well and truly before Bazball was invented.
“It’s up to them to keep doing it now. They’ve literally got to go at six runs an over otherwise they’re not playing Bazball. If you’re going to talk about it, you’ve got to do it.”
Lyon is now among a generation of highly successful Aussie cricketers, including Pat Cummins, David Warner, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke and Shane Watson, who have never won the urn in England.
“I have been part of two teams that retained The Ashes here [in England], let’s not forget about that,” he told the BBC.
“But, 100 per cent the bucket list dreams for me are to win Test series here and in India.”
England bowler Tom Hartley celebrates after taking his 5th wicket.
England captain Ben Stokes will likely remain at the helm during the next Ashes series that is set to take place on Aussie soil from November 2025, an event which Lyon says he has not “thought about”.
“I haven’t really thought about that Ashes series,” Lyon said.
“We’ve got India at home this year and that is one of the biggest series you can be involved in.
“Then again, 18 months doesn’t seem that far away. It’s going to be special.”