‘I have lost one of my mates…’: Nathan Lyon slams Kevin Pietersen for saying Australia were looking for a concussion substitute

Nathan Lyon has slammed Kevin Pietersen for saying that Australia sent him to bat in a hope that they could get a concussion substitute if the off-spinner is hit the bouncer.
Lyon said he found this argument very absurd as he has lost one of his friend due to being hit on the head. Lyon, who was on the field when Phillip Hughes was fatally killed a bouncer at the SCG in 2014.
“Test cricket’s been around a lot longer than I have and injuries are part of the game,” Lyon told reporters on Saturday evening.

“I have heard comments that I only went out there to get hit in the head, but I’m really against that. I have lost one of my mates due to being hit in the head, so I think that’s a really poor conversation being had, if I’m honest with you.

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“But no, I don’t think for soft tissue injuries (there should be substitutes). But for concussion it’s a pretty big risk, so I’m happy with that, but any other injuries, no. That’s my opinion.”
Speaking in between innings on Sky Sports, Kevin Pietersen said that Australia sent Nathan Lyon out there thinking he might get concussed so they can bring on Todd Murphy as a substitute.
“Imagine if he (Lyon) had been hit on the head and got concussion, he’d have got a like-for-like replacement and a world-class spinner (Murphy), based on how he performed in India, it gives food for thought,” Pietersen said.

Nathan Lyon on Saturday hobbled out to bat on Day 4 of the second Ashes Test despite a significant calf strain. hobbled out to bat on Day 4 of the second Ashes Test despite a significant calf strain.
Lyon faced just 13 balls and scored four runs, but his effort earnt a standing ovation and admiration from England players.