Watch: Injured Nathan Lyon hobbles on to bat against England in 2nd Ashes Test

Australia’s Nathan Lyon, who suffered a significant strain to his calf on Thursday, hobbled on to the pitch to face a buoyant England bowling attack at Lord’s on Saturday.

His presence was necessitated after England bowlers rained fire on Australia, bowling short ball after short ball which led to the Baggy Greens losing wickets at regular intervals.

Coming back from lunch, Australia lost Cameron Green and Alex Carey quickly to Ollie Robinson. After that, skipper Pat Cummins fell to Stuart Broad with England captain Ben Stokes wiping out Josh Hazlewood leaving Australia at 264/9.

Lyon had suffered the injury on Thursday while running to catch a fly ball in the field during day two of the second Ashes test at Lord’s. He pulled up and grabbed his calf. He needed help to slowly limp back to the pavilion. On Saturday too, he looked to be in blinding pain while hobbling across the pitch to complete a single but still opted to carry on.

Earlier, England fought back in thrilling fashion against Australia with three wickets before lunch on day four to keep alive their slim hopes of turning around the second Ashes test.

Stuart Broad struck twice for the hosts while Josh Tongue removed England’s bogeyman Steve Smith to reduce Australia to 222 for five at the interval, having begun day four on 130-2.

While Australia stretched their lead to 313, a daunting advantage throughout the history of test cricket, England will feel they are back in the hunt to level the series after losing a thrilling opener at Edgbaston by two wickets.