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03.07.2019 15:07
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Nathan Lyon collected his baggy green cap from the umpire in mid-afternoon with figures of 0 for 27 from five overs and a glum look on his face. His most recent six balls had been taken for 10 runs by Hashim Amla, and it was no surprise when the captain Steven Smith chose to remove him from the attack.Watching on from the outfield as the pacemen were rotated, Lyon must have pondered his situation. He had broken a lengthy wicket drought in the first innings, but the thought of a single victim in the course of five first-class innings can only have been the slightest consolation. A career tally of 214 Test wickets offered more robust reason for self-belief, but increasingly Lyon has seemed alone in keeping the faith. He is the teams most experienced player, and custodian of the team song. But somehow, unfairly, he had seemingly become expendable.How close did he come to being dropped for this match entirely? About as close as it is possible. Steve OKeefe, Lyons New South Wales team-mate, would almost certainly have been chosen in his stead if not for the recurrence of a calf problem during the Sheffield Shield round played between Hobart and Adelaide. On local radio, the coach Darren Lehmann said as much: Lyon was in because we couldnt select OKeefe, he was injured beforehand.Having made it narrowly to Adelaide, much of the talk leading into the match surrounded how Lyon could find himself making way for a fourth seamer in either Jackson Bird or Chadd Sayers. All despite Lyons own fine record in Adelaide, and the absence of an allrounder making it vital to have someone capable of long spells. At a ceremony to name the players viewing area after the loveable Barry Nugget Rees, Lyon prompted the guest of honour to nominate him as a favourite player. Laughs were had, of course, but Lyon was certainly in need of some love.So close to being discarded despite being Australias most prolific-ever offspinner, Lyon had to be pondering whether this still Adelaide night would be among his last in the national team. He has a captain in Steven Smith who does not share his predecessor Michael Clarkes dynamism when dealing with spin bowlers, and a coaching staff that oddly does not feature a full-time spin minder - South Africas spinners have Claude Henderson on tour.It is true that Lyon has been able to spend time this week with John Davison, his longtime mentor and trusted confidante. That has undoubtedly helped his technique, flight, shape and spin. It hasnt been an emergency call, Lyon said. Davos been planning before the summer to come down to Adelaide. Its been great to have him around, hes someone I trust very highly and work great with him.Hes one guy who is very handy to have in my corner. Theres a bit of that [reassurance], but Davo also challenges me to try to get better and better each and every training session that we go into. Hes just someone I can go to and say What do you think about this, this and this? and hell come back and say agree or disagree and we can have a conversation.But he still needed to find a way to get himself into the game. After a brief flirtation with David Warners medium pace after tea, Smith handed the ball back to Lyon. The dismissal of Amla in the interim helped Lyon, giving him a left-hander to size up in JP Duminy.The following spell brought gradual improvement from Lyon, as he worked with variations in pace and spin. A major factor in the way he was able to get into the spell was a different level of pressure from the scoreboard, after Australias batsmen finally produced something of substance after five matches of failures.Its always handy to have some runs on the board, and its up there with the best innings by a nightwatchman that Ive seen, so hats off to Usman, Lyon said. Its been an exciting feel this week with a couple of debutants, we want to come out buzzing and prove to Australia that crickets in good hands.I didnt feel under pressure to be honest. I know on the scorecards theres been no wickets in the columns but I feel like Ive been bowling really well and being able to create chances. I havent been feeling under pressure that much to be honest. I look at this as a young, exciting team and Ive played 60 Test matches now and Ive got a massive role in this team.Its not about being different its about being there in a supporting role, taking a few of the younger guys under your wing and supporting them. I know how hard it is to play Test match cricket, and if someone in the team can lend that support on and off the field its crucial. I know Mike Hussey was my mentor when I first came in, so if I can play my role with the young guys coming in Im more than happy to do that.The role to Duminy was to open up an end so that Smith could return to attacking with his pacemen under the Adelaide floodlight. A straighter, quicker delivery that skidded off the pitch did just that, beating Duminys absent-minded flick across the line and knocking out off stump. Lyons auxiliary role at this point was underlined when Smith withdrew him an over later to try tandem pace to Faf du Plessis, a decision rewarded with a sliced drive off Mitchell Starc and a tremendous catch by Pete Handscomb in the gully.As stumps crept nearer, Smith returned the ball to Lyons hands for a critical period. Temba Bavuma and Stephen Cook had the chance to forge through to the close and keep the dangerous Quinton de Kock safe from harm. But Bavumas innings had grown skittish under pressure, from Starc in particular, and Lyon was able to exploit this by coaxing out a sweep, a top edge and a catch for Smith. Bavuma reviewed, somewhat oddly, but the HotSpot was clear.This whole sequence showed how match circumstances, a hint of good fortune and a supportive Adelaide crowd make as much of a difference to Lyon as anything from the ball or the pitch. Against the nightwatchman Kyle Abbott he was masterful, working a tall man over with spin and bounce, before straightening one ideally for an lbw verdict.De Kock was left to face the final few balls of the night, and for the first time all series it was Lyon who held the whip-hand. As the ball bit and spun past a groping bat, the crowd transfixed by the moment, it seemed difficult to imagine an Australian team without Lyon in it, when hours before the opposite felt true. How quickly things can change.Josh Allen Womens Jersey . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. TreDavious White Bills Jersey .J. -- Pitcher Carl Pavano is retiring after 14 major league seasons. http://www.shoptheofficialbills.com/Elite-Zay-Jones-Bills-Jersey/ . During the athletes parade, the 23-strong Ukrainian team was represented by a lone flagbearer in an apparent protest at the presence of Russian troops in Ukraines Crimean peninsula. O. J. Simpson Womens Jersey . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Zay Jones Womens Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team.CINCINNATI -- The Bengals defended linebacker Vontaze Burfict on Wednesday for his actions during a loss to New England, which drew a $75,000 fine from the league, according to a person familiar with the situation.Burfict was fined for stepping on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount after he scored a touchdown near the end of New Englands 35-17 win on Sunday, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because fines for this week have not yet been announced by the league.Coach Marvin Lewis disagreed with the linebackers punishment.I dont think he did anything wrong, Lewis said. We were not in the wrong here, in my opinion. Its unfortunate.The volatile linebacker has a history of violating player safety rules. His hit to Antonio Browns head gave the receiver a concussion and moved the Steelers in range for their winning field goal in the final minute of Pittsburghs 18-16 victory over the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs last season.The NFL suspended Burfict for that hit and numerous other ones during his career.Burfict wasnt in the locker room while it was open to the media on Wednesday. He suffered an ankle injury during practice in the afternoon that forced him to sit out the end of the session, but Lewis said its not believed to be serious.The defending AFC North champions are 2-4 -- their worst start in six years -- as they host the Cleveland Browns (0-6) on Sunday. Burfict is expected to play.Cornerback Adam Pacman Jones, who also drew a penalty that helped set up Pittsburghs winning kick, said opponents are trying to rile Burfict during games to provoke an incident.He is (targeted), but everybody knows what it is, Jones said. At a certain point, you just have to go play football and try not to let it botther you the way you play.dddddddddddd Me talking to Tez, it does bother him.Burfict had another play in New England that drew scrutiny. He hit Martellus Bennett in the side of the knee when the tight end wasnt the intended receiver on a pass by Tom Brady. The tight end got up limping. No flag was thrown, but the play was shown repeatedly during the television broadcast.My point is that stuff like that happens during a football game, left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. Once youre labeled as a guy that does that, it becomes a bigger topic. It happens in football every day and unless youre going to point out everybody that does it, dont single out individuals.Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor tried out for a backup quarterback spot with Cincinnati last year but was released. He got to know Burfict during his time with the Bengals.I saw the hit on Martellus -- it didnt look good, but I personally like Burfict, Pryor said on Wednesday. I like the way he plays the game, not from the standpoint of some dirty stuff that goes on, but I think hes a heck of a player.Game notesThe Bengals announced that the Browns game has sold out. ... TE Tyler Eifert returned to practice on a limited basis. He hasnt played this season because hes recovering from offseason ankle surgery and he hurt his back a couple of weeks ago. ... C Russell Bodine (ankle), G Clint Boling (shoulder) and DT Pat Sims (neck) were held out of practice. Bodine suffered an ankle sprain at New England.---AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to ther Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.-- |
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