Australian fast bowler Nathan Lyon has criticised veteran English fast bowler James Anderson. Interestingly, both Lyon and Anderson are playing for Lancashire in the current County Championship Division One match against Nottinghamshire, which is being played at Trafalgar Road Ground, Southport.
Nathan Lyon has signed for seven appearances for Lancashire in the 2024 County Championship season. The current match against Nottinghamshire is his final game for the Club this season.
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“I feel a little sick…” – Nathan Lyon on James Anderson
When asked about playing with the great James Anderson, Nathan Lyon took a slight dig at the veteran fast bowler but also called him the best fast bowler to have ever played the game.
“I feel a bit bad when I say ‘come on Jimmy’ and he says ‘well done Garry’. But I guess that’s the beauty of county cricket, to come here and play with arguably the greatest fast bowler of all time has been very special,” Lyon said at the end of day three.
“When I first signed for Lancashire, one of the big attractions was playing in tandem with Jimmy (James Anderson). We’ve only bowled three overs so far but hopefully the weather will hold and we can bowl well tomorrow,” added the legendary off-spinner.
Lyon also expressed surprise at James Anderson’s retirement, but said it was great fun playing alongside the legend.
“It was great to be in midfield and have him tell me what he was doing. It was great fun. I’ve said it before, I’m very surprised that England tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘You’ve got one more game and that’s it,'” Lyon said.
“It was amazing to watch and be a part of it,” Nathan Lyon said of playing with James Anderson.
The Australian bowler also praised Anderson for his superb bowling figures that put Lancashire ahead in the game. The 41-year-old was at his best and dismantled Nottinghamshire’s batting order with 7-35 in 16 overs.
“It was one of our best days of the summer. It was amazing to come here to Southport and have Jimmy bowling. It was amazing to see what he did this morning,” Lyon said.
“I’ve obviously seen it (when I’ve been) on the other side when I wasn’t standing there saying ‘come on Jimmy’, so it was amazing to see it and it was amazing to be a part of it,” he added.
While Anderson had a big role to play in the favourable conditions for the seamers at Southport, Nathan Lyon did not have much to do and finished with 0-24 in 6 overs in the first innings.
However, Lancashire decided to apply the follow-on after restricting Nottinghamshire to just 126 runs in the first innings. Nathan Lyon excelled in the second innings and had taken 2-23 in 16 overs by the end of the day’s play. Nottinghamshire were 84-2 at Stumps on Day 3 and still trailed by 143 runs.
James Anderson will play the final Test match of his international career against West Indies from July 10-14 at Lord’s. This will be the 188th Test match of his illustrious career.
