Ashes 2025-26: Nathan Lyon sustains hamstring injury before Lunch on Day 5, set to miss remaining Test match

Nathan Lyon injured himself while trying to chase the ball in the deep and was forced to leave the field in the first session on Day 5 of the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, December 21. Later, it was confirmed that he had injured his hamstring.

Lyon was ruled out of action for the rest of the Test match. This did make things a bit tricky for Australia as England showed a lot of fight in the fourth innings, chasing an improbable target of 435 for a victory. Lyon had already made an impact before his injury, as he dismissed Zak Crawley, Harry Brook, and England captain Ben Stokes on the penultimate day of the Test.

In the absence of Lyon, Cummins had to use his part-timers, Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, more than he would have wanted. Will Jacks forged partnerships worth 91 and 52 runs with Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse, respectively, to give the Three Lions hopes of registering a famous win. However, in the end, the tourists were bowled out for 352, losing the match by 82 runs.

Lyon finished the match with figures of 5/147 in 53 overs. There is a very short turnaround for the fourth Test, which is set to begin on Boxing Day at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The veteran off-spinner might be rested for the clash and return for the final Test in Sydney.

Lyon didn't play the second Test in Brisbane, as Australia fielded an extra pacer in Michael Neser for the pink-ball affair. The 38-year-old spinner wasn't too happy with this decision, and he expressed his frustration openly.

Meanwhile, with the win in Adelaide, Australia won the series and hence retained the prestigious Ashes urn. They have an unassailable 3-0 lead, with two games left to be played. Another Ashes whitewash Down Under looms for England. They need to pull off something special to taste success on what has been a forgettable tour so far.