Nathan ruled out from remainder of Ashes series

Australian veteran spinner Nathan Lyon has been ruled out of the 2023 Ashes series against England and he has backed 22-year-old Todd Murphy to “leave his footmarks” in the series, saying that “stock ball” is good enough to provide a different challenge to the English batters. Australia on Monday announced changes to their squad for the remainder of the series, with Lyon ruled out due to a “significant calf tear” while fielding on day two at Lord’s. Reserve batter Matthew Renshaw is not in the squad but will stay in England in case another injury strikes Aussies. No replacements have been included in the revised 16-player squad. Queensland wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson is with the team as cover for Josh Inglis, who returned home following the first Birmingham Test for the birth of his first child, as per cricket.com.au. Australia secured a 2-0 lead in the series with a 43-run win in the second Test, despite Ben Stokes’ heroic 155-run knock which brought back the memories of his Headingley knock from 2019. He smashed nine fours and nine sixes in his knock. Australian coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Murphy was placed well to come into the playing eleven for the third Test at Headingley after Lyon backed Murphy to hold his own against English batters. The pair have worked closely in recent days, with the youngster picking Lyon’s brain on Saturday before the start of the play. Lyon was a key player for the Aussies in the Ashes, starting the series with an eight-wicket haul in the first Test at Edgbaston in a winning effort. The 36-year-old is in no doubt about Murphy’s ability to take on England batters with just 12 first-class games in his belt. Murphy impressed during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy earlier this year against India in subcontinent conditions, taking 14 wickets at an average of 25.21. He also took the wickets of star batter Virat Kohli four times. “His stock ball is good enough in international cricket. We have seen that in India in arguably the hardest place to bowl spin,” Lyon said as quoted by cricket.com.au. “It will be a different challenge with the England batters.