Remember when Ricky Ponting correctly predicted Mitchell Starc uprooting Prithvi Shaw’s stumps during the 2022 Adelaide Pink ball Test match between India and Australia? Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon seems to have learned from the legendary Australian cricketer and replicated Ponting’s act during the ongoing 3rd T20I between England and Australia on Friday (October 14) at Manuka Oval in Canberra.
After Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first, Josh Hazlewood gave the hosts a brilliant start by dismissing the in-from Alex Hales for a 2-ball duck in the second over of the match. Lyon proved that he is the man with a crystal ball as just before the delivery he said on commentary that “[Ball is] Moving a little bit. If they can shape the ball away and bring in the outside edge,” Lyon said.
The legendary Australian spinner’s prediction turned out to be completely true as Hales edged an out-swinging delivery from Hazelwood and skipper Aaron Finch took an easy catch on first slip. This was a huge dismissal for the home side as Hales was the Player of the Match (POTM) in the first match of the series at the Optus Stadium in Perth with a knock of 84 in just 51 balls.
Rain plays spoilsport
Talking about the match, rain has played spoilsport as the bad weather has already stopped the match twice so far. The fixture has been reduced to a 17-over game with more overs expected to be lost after the second interruption. England are currently 73-2 with captain Jos Buttler looking solid with an unbeaten 32-ball 38. The hero of the second match Dawid Malan was dismissed for a knock of 23 in 19 balls by Pat Cummins.
The visitors had a score of 73/2 in 9.4 overs on the board before players walked out of the field. England have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
