After years of being called ‘Garry’ or ‘Gazza’, Nathan Lyon has a new nickname – but it’s one that he won’t like very much.
Alex Carey, Australia’s wicketkeeper, repeatedly referred to Lyon as ‘Filthy’ and ‘Fil’ throughout the fourth day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide on Saturday.
The new name was in reference to Lyon’s comments before the previous Test, where he was dropped. Asked about his feelings on the rare exclusion, Lyon had said he was feeling ‘absolutely filthy’.
“Oh, I think he might have used the word last week, didn’t he?” Carey explained after the day’s play when asked about the name. “If you say something in this cricket team, you won’t get missed. Look, he’s very much loved around the group and takes it with a big smile around his face.”
Back to the team, Lyon showed his importance, taking three wickets in the ongoing second innings, leaving England 207/6, 228 runs behind the target, and staring down the barrel of a defeat.
“I just thought Nathan was bowling really well and to continuing putting lots of energy on the ball,” Carey said. “He toiled away all day and finally got some reward. There’s enough in the pitch. We saw that, and finally he picked up a couple of late wickets.”
What was Nathan Lyon’s comment about?
Lyon’s previous nickname was a playful reference to his surname matching that of famous Australian Rules Football (AFL) legend Garry Lyon. Here are the comments that led to his new one:
“Absolutely filthy,” said Lyon when he was asked how he felt in Brisbane. “To be honest I haven’t really sat down with ‘Ronnie’ [McDonald] or George yet. I’m letting things settle down in my own head and trying to make sure that I’m doing whatever I can to make sure the guys out in the middle representing Australia do the right thing and get the right result for us.
“I’m not the first player to miss a Test match and I won’t be the last. I’m obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially at a venue like this. Extremely disappointed, but I’ll do whatever I have to do to make sure these guys get up.”