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6 months ago
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Record-breaking Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has opened up on his post-Ashes struggles and admitted he wasn't the best husband to his wife Emma in the aftermath of the hotly contested series.
Australia's greatest ever off-spinner was pivotal in last year's Ashes series for many reasons.
In the opening two Tests, his influence was plain to see as the Aussies surged to a 2-0 lead in the series.
However, Lyon's calf gave way in that second Test at Lords, creating absolute scenes as he hobbled out to bat on one leg to a standing ovation, helping steer Australia home.
Following those Tests, though, it was a different story. Australia would not win another clash against the old enemy and had to hold on desperately to finish with a 2-2 drawn series - just enough to retain the urn.
Aussie Test spinner Nathan Lyon has admitted he probably wasn't the best husband after getting injured during the Ashes in England last year
Lyon injured his calf during the second Test at Lords and was ruled out of the rest of the series, forced to watch the tense final three Tests back in Australia
Since The Ashes, Lyon and Emma have welcomed their first child and their relationship is going strong
Lyon said he was on tenterhooks while he watched the three Tests on the couch back home in Australia.
And he admitted he wasn't the best partner to Emma during that stressful time, even though she was pregnant with their baby at the time.
'I probably wasn't the nicest person or the greatest husband throughout that time when I was back home watching the last three Test matches as well. But we got through it,' he told 7NEWS.com.au.
When Lyon was cut down with the serious injury, Lyon said the first voice he wanted to hear was his wife's back in Australia.
And now that the dust has settled, Lyon has returned to cricket and the urn is safely in Australia's keeping, he detailed his appreciation for all the support that Emma gives him.
'I was able to get in contact with Emma and I was able to have a chat to her, which was nice and comforting,' he said.
'She sees me at my highs, she sees me at my lows, probably more than anyone. To have her support, there's nothing else that comes close to that in the world.
'I'm very grateful for Em and what she's been able to do for me, especially throughout my career.'
Lyon and Emma are the glamour couple of the Australian Test cricket team
Lyon did it rough in the second Ashes Test at Lords in 2023, batting injured with Mitchell Starc to give Australia 15 crucial extra runs
Lyon says Emma is his greatest supporter and was the first on the phone when he went down injured in England
It comes after Lyon revealed in the latest episode of documentary series The Test that Emma did not want him to go out and bat while he was injured.
Lyon earned praise from the cricket world, including from English supporters, for going out to bat late on Day 4, partnering with Mitchell Starc to put on a crucial 15-run stand.
But Emma was not as impressed.
'For me, it was as simple as, 'OK, you're going out to bat',' Lyon said.
'My wife, Em, hated it, didn't want me to bat, Pat didn't want me to bat, physio didn't want me to bad — but luckily enough the head coach Andrew McDonald wanted me to bat.
'So, I was able to tick that off, and as soon as they said 'Yep, you're batting', I was able to find a way I was going to compete.
'I just understand in Ashes cricket how big 10-15 runs are and I hate letting people down.'
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