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Only Kevin Pietersen could turn one of the most courageous moments in recent Ashes history into a controversy.
The former England batsman has been slammed for airing a “bloody obscene” conspiracy about why Nathan Lyon bravely walked out to bat in Australia’s second innings.
The beloved offspinner entrenched himself even further in the hearts of cricket fans by taking part in the match despite a significant calf strain that could keep him out of the rest of the series.
He thrilled audiences across the world by joining Mitchell Starc for a 15-run 10th wicket stand despite not being able to run between the wickets.
Lyon earned massive cheers from the Aussie dressing room when he struck a boundary and was given a standing ovation by the Lord’s members when he walked back through the pavilion.
But moments later Pietersen was airing a left-field theory about why Lyon had opted to bat with Australia’s lead already past 350.
Speaking in between innings on Sky Sports, Pietersen wondered whether the Australian team had asked Lyon to bat in the hope he would be hit in the head by a bouncer.
The English team was exclusively sending down short-pitched balls and if Lyon was struck by one and concussed, the laws of cricket would have allowed the visitors to replace him with a like-for-like player.
The suggestion was Australia could swap Lyon – who had no chance of taking the field for England’s run chase – with reserve spinner Todd Murphy, thus giving them an extra bowler to help push for victory.
Pietersen attempted to clarify he wasn’t accusing Australia of anything, but cricket fans voiced their displeasure on social media.
Others saw the possibility of Australia gaining a massive advantage from the situation.
Pietersen made headlines earlier in the match when he erupted at England’s performance on day one after the chose to bowl.
But this time he wasn’t alone in offering a controversial view on Lyon’s participation.
Former England skipper Andrew Strauss was another to miss the moment, ridiculing Lyon’s inability to run between the wickets instead of celebrating his involvement.
“It’s all very good to show bravery to get out there but if you can’t score a run it’s utterly pointless,” Strauss said in commentary.
“It seems foolhardy to me,” he added. “There’s a guy’s career potentially on the line here.”
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