"I don’t feel that old" - Nathan Lyon reveals his response to Yashasvi Jaiswal's sledge in BGT 2024-25 1st Test
Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has revealed India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal's sledge during the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth. With the contest between the left-handed batter and the right-arm off-spinner getting billed as one of the most decisive, Jaiswal called the veteran cricketer 'old.'
The 22-year-old had perished for a duck in the first innings in Perth but bounced back with a brilliant 161 in the second essay to help Team India gain a massive advantage. Jaiswal also didn't let Lyon settle and played a handful of attacking shots, as he did against the three-pronged pace attack of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc.
Speaking on SEN 1170 The Run Home with Joel and Fletch, the 37-year-old revealed the opener's sledge:
"You're a legend, but you’re old."
The New South Wales spinner replied:
"Appreciate that, mate, but I don’t feel that old."
Contrary to expectations, the veteran off-spinner managed only two wickets in the Perth Test, as Team India romped to a 295-run win. Australia's batting woes played a significant part in the match.
"To be honest mate, he puts everyone first" - Nathan Lyon on Josh Hazlewood
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on Wednesday (December 4), Lyon lamented Josh Hazlewood's absence for the second Test in Adelaide but suggested that the pacer is putting in the hard yards to be fit for the third. He said, as quoted by India Today:
"It's pretty disappointing. The other day when he told me, about four or five days ago now, that he had a little side issue. But, yeah, the quality of a person that Josh is. He is getting around everyone, making sure that everyone's right here first, but he's also doing his rehab and training ball. You've seen him doing his training tonight, and I think he did a 90-minute rehab session yesterday, so he's the ultimate team man. To be honest mate, he puts everyone first, and you will see that this week."
Scott Boland will replace Hazlewood for the pink-ball Test, which begins on December 6.