'Shut The F*** Up, Let Me Bat': Nathan Lyon Reveals Explosive Comment From Steve Smith During Ashes Partnership

Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon has lifted the lid on a fiery altercation with Steve Smith during Australia’s 2019 Ashes series against England. Speaking on The Grade Cricketer podcast, the Australia spin spearhead revealed the explosive moment that took place between him and Steve Smith during the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston last year.

Steve Smith was busy powering Australia towards a good total and was 15 short of a stunning century on his comeback in Tests when he was joined by Nathan Lyon in the middle. Nathan Lyon had walked out to bat after the end of the 88-run stand between Steve Smith and Peter Siddle that helped Australia recover from 122 for 8.

As soon as the spinner joined Smith in the middle, he made it clear that he wanted the latter to complete a century. But after the former Australia skipper reached the triple figures, he was quick to remind Steve Waugh’s advice to Smith to inspire a final-wicket stand. However, Smith was not at all impressed with it and straightaway asked Nathan Lyon to “shut the f*** up”.

“The best story about batting with Smudger (Smith) that game was, we just had Steve Waugh, the legend of Australian cricket, talk to us tailenders about working in 10-run partnerships,” Nathan Lyon told The Grade Cricketer. “He really had this dig deep attitude.

“So Smithy’s got his hundred and he did all that stuff so I said to Smithy, ‘We’re up to 230 here. Ten more and we get to 240 and just work in 10s’.

“Smithy looks at me and goes, ‘Gaz, shut the f*** up. Let me bat and I’ll get it up to 300′. So it was just, ‘Yeah, cheers Tugga (Waugh)’,” he added.

Smith went on to complete his century and scored 144 before scoring 142 in the second innings to help his side win the first Test. He would go on to hit 774 runs at an average of 110.57 throughout the famous series – which Australia eventually drew 2-2 to retain the Ashes urn on English soil.

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