Lyon defies calf injury to bat in heroic Ashes scenes

England emerged through a manic final few overs unscathed to set up a grandstand finish on the final day at Lord’s.

After a nightmare start to its chase of 371, England skipper Ben Stokes (29 not out) joined opener Ben Duckett (50 not out) to put together a crucial partnership.

It was another day filled with drama, controversy and some brilliant cricket sprinkled in, and here were the best moments from day four.

AS IT HAPPENED: The Ashes second Test, day four

READ MORE: Aussies fume over ‘shocking’ third umpire call

READ MORE: The genius tactic that saw NRL records smashed

Every ball of the Ashes will be live, free and exclusive on 9Now, and if you miss any of the action you can find full highlights and exclusive replays after every day’s play here

Lyon’s heroic cameo

There were significant doubts over whether Nathan Lyon would even bat in Australia’s second innings, but what followed was something remarkable.

Lyon hobbled to the crease at the fall of Australia’s ninth wicket and added 15 runs including a boundary of his own for the last wicket alongside Mitchell Starc.

He was eventually dismissed and returned to the famous Lord’s long room to a standing ovation after a truly unbelievable effort.

Lyon’s heroic Lord’s entrance

Starc, Australia stunned by reversal

If England ends up mowing down the 371 runs required to win the second Test, this moment will be replayed for years to come.

Australia thought it had dismissed England opener Ben Duckett late in the day following a terrific catch in the deep by Mitchell Starc.

They were stunned just minutes later when Duckett was called back to a crease after third umpire Marais Erasmus ruled that Starc hadn’t been in control of the catch despite appearing to take it cleanly.

Starc controversially denied catch

Ahmed’s incredible boundary save, Lyon’s limp

On a chaotic day of cricket, this was perhaps the most chaotic play of them all.

Mitchell Starc thought he’d hit a six only for sub fielder Rehan Ahmed to pull of one of the most brilliant one-handed saves on the boundary you’re ever likely to see.

Ahmed’s save came as Starc and the hobbled Nathan Lyon ball-watched in the middle of the pitch, and Lyon was required to hop towards his crease, further damaging his injured calf in the process.

Skipper Pat Cummins could barely believe his eyes as he watched along on the Lord’s balcony

Lyon hurt after incredible boundary save

Here’s every wicket that fell on day four

AUSTRALIA

Usman Khawaja 77 (187): c Potts b Broad, FOW: 3-187 (61.6 ov)

Broad breaks dangerous stand

Steve Smith 34 (62): c Crawley b Tongue, FOW: 4-190 (62.4 ov)

Bouncer ends Smith’s stay

Travis Head 7 (16): c Root b Broad, FOW: 5-197 (67.3 ov)

Root’s stunner takes out Head

Cameron Green 18 (67): c Duckett b Robinson, FOW: 6-239 (87.3 ov)

Green succumbs to bouncer barrage

Alex Carey 21 (73): c Root b Robinson, FOW: 7-242 (89.1 ov)

Robinson doubles up

Pat Cummins 11 (29): c Duckett b Broad, FOW: 8-261 (95.2 ov)

Broad takes out Cummins

Josh Hazlewood 1 (3): c Root b Stokes, FOW: 9-264 (96.4 ov)

Stokes ends Hazlewood’s stay

Nathan Lyon 4 (13): c Stokes b Broad, FOW: 10-279 (101.5 ov)

Lyon’s heroics come to an end

ENGLAND

Zak Crawley 3 (6): c Carey b Starc, FOW: 1-9 (2.1 ov)

Crawley strangled down leg side

Ollie Pope 3 (10): b Starc, FOW: 2-13 (4.2 ov)

Starc destroys Pope’s stumps

Joe Root 18 (35): c Warner b Cummins, FOW: 3-41 (12.2 ov)

Cummins’ brute claims Root

Harry Brook 4 (3): b Cummins, FOW: 4-45 (12.5 ov)

Cummins’ contender for ball of the series

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