Australia vs New Zealand: Nathan Lyon’s thumb left bleeding after a failed caught and bowled attempt

Ongoing Australia and New Zealand Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was expected to go in the favour of the home team, given that the visitors had to make four changes to their line-up after an illness bug swept the dressing room. The issue got complicated for Kiwis as Australia stacked up 454 runs in the first innings.

Then Nathan Lyon stepped up when New Zealand came to bat and apart from debutant Glenn Phillips, who made a debut Test fifty, Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, and Jeet Raval made significant contributions as New Zealand crawled to 251. Meanwhile, Lyon picked 5/68, while Pat Cummins continued his good run with 3/44. During this innings, the off-spinner also suffered an injury that might have given the Aussie fans a scare.

Nathan Lyon drops Phillips and gets a bloody thumb in return

Glenn Phillips had just come to the crease to join Ross Taylor at the wicket with the score on 125/3 and Nathan Lyon was bowling really well. During the 52nd over of the match, he bowled a flighted delivery to Phillips, who tried to hit the ball straight but managed to do so in the air, straight towards the bowler. Unfortunately for Lyon, he couldn’t manage to react quickly enough and was seen holding his right hand in pain, as the ball hit him.

Pat Cummins came to his aid and later it showed that his right thumb was bleeding from the impact. The umpire at the bowling end offered Lyon a cloth to stop the bleeding, while Cummins called for the physio to come out. Cameras panned on a wincing Lyon as blood dripped from his injured digit.

Cricket.com.au shared the video of the incident and the bloody thumb of Lyon with the caption, “Blood coming from Nathan Lyon’s right thumb after a dropped chance off Glenn Phillips.#AUSvNZ”

Blood coming from Nathan Lyon's right thumb after a dropped chance off Glenn Phillips.#AUSvNZ | https://t.co/rx14Qs3S0i pic.twitter.com/pgYZ4PSJe2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 5, 2020

Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne scored his maiden double ton in Tests as he caressed a beautiful 215 runs with 19 fours and 1 six to his name. He got some support from Steve Smith who scored a good 63 runs, while David Warner, Matthew Wade and Tim Paine pitched in Australian total as well. The South African born batsman has already scored a ton and two half-centuries in the previous two matches of the series as well.

At the moment, Australia are closing in on another famous victory to wrap their successful summer with the Kiwis capitulating again in the pursuit of 416 runs.