The Manchester Test between England and India saw tempers flare on the final day when Ben Stokes’ request to call off the Test in the final hour was refused by Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, who were nearing their respective centuries.
The entire controversy divided the cricket world, with a few siding with the Indian batters, saying they worked hard to save the Test and deserved a century, while others said that the batters fought for a draw, which they got, and shouldn’t have waited for personal milestones.
The latest to join the bandwagon is Australia spinner Nathan Lyon, who took a dig at Ben Stokes and said that England should have got them out and stopped them from scoring a hundred. “Get them out. Don’t let them get a hundred,” the 37-year-old said at the Melbourne Renegades event.
Meanwhile, the draw in Manchester was critical for India as it kept them alive in the series. India will head to the Oval 2-1 behind, but if they can win the final Test, the series will end as 2-2 draw.
‘England Will Come Hard At Me’ – Lyon
The India series will be followed by a marquee Ashes in November, and Lyon expects England to come hard at him.
“I totally expect them to come out and attack me. I think every touring team says they’re going to come and attack the spinner, so I’m pretty used to that now. Guys trying to attack me bring me into the game. So I’m looking forward to that. I’ve got some plans, and I’m already writing down a few things I want to try to put in play and work on,” he said.
Lyon also praised England for their aggressive cricket and how they have evolved as a team in recent years.
“That’s England and the way they’re playing their cricket, so it’s amazing theatre and something I love viewing. I think Bazball has changed a little bit; they’re now honestly talking about ways of how to win games and not being too reckless.
“But the conditions over here, it’s always been a great competition between bat and ball and that’s the way Australia’s produced wickets like that.”