With the four-Test Border-Gavaskar series precariously poised 1-1, Australia’s chances have been dealt some heavy blows with the injury withdrawals of pace spearhead Mitchell Starc and all rounder Mitchell Marsh ahead of the third Test in Ranchi.
However, there may be some more bad news coming the visitors’ way as it appears that Nathan Lyon is also bowling with an injured finger. According to an article on cricket.com.au. Australia’s leading spinner suffered from split callus on inside of his right index finger, which impacted his bowling in the second innings of the Bangalore Test.
Lyon had captured a career-best 8-50 in the first innings, but went wicketless in the second, and the injury to his spinning finger was the reason behind it.
The injury was sustained when the off spinner sliced open the callus on a piece of leather on ball’s seam and it aggravated as the Test went on, especially since he couldn’t use a bandage on his spinning finger as per the rules.
“It just split. It was pretty painful there for a bit. And you can’t bowl on (adhesive) tape - there’s rules and laws out there that you can’t bowl on tape so I wasn’t even considering that,” Lyon told cricket.com.au ahead of the Ranchi Test.
He also added that this isn’t the first time he is suffering from an injury of this sort. “I’ve bowled a lot of balls over the summer and it usually happens once or twice a year,” he said, insisting that he will be fit for the Ranchi Test. “The last time I was here (in India, in 2013), the same thing happened in the third Test and I was able to play three days later. So I’m more than confident in turning out for the next Test.”
Lyon’s presence is vital for Australia going into the match as he is their foremost spinner on tracks that have assisited turn so far. But his availability will depend how much he bowls in practice. “I’m able to bowl cross-seam and stuff, so I can still try to spin it,” Lyon said.
The third Test between India and Australia begins on March 16 in Ranchi.