Cheeky cult hero Nathan ‘Garry’ Lyon mocked South African skipper Dean Elgar as the Aussies tore through the top order in a brilliant start to the Boxing Day Test that honored Shane Warne
- Nathan Lyon sledged South African skipper Dean Elgar after a close call
- Lyon told Elgar that his lucky charm was his ‘Santa present’
- Players, greats and fans paid tearful tributes to Shane Warne at the MCG
Australian cricket’s cult hero Nathan Lyon unleashed the first cheeky sledge of the Boxing Day Test on Dean Elgar, as the Aussies tore apart the South African top order.
Australian skipper Pat Cummins made the unusual choice to bowl first after winning the toss – a decision that has so far paid dividends.
Australian cricket’s cult hero Nathan Lyon (pictured) unleashed the first cheeky sledge of the Boxing Day Test on Dean Elgar, as the Aussies tore apart the South African top order
Nathan Lyon is pictured chatting with the flagbearer before the start of Monday’s game
South African captain Dean Elgar survived an early scare when he bowled, but despite the ball spinning back onto his stumps, the bails did not fall.
Lyon, fielding at that point, decided to let Elgar know how lucky he was to still be batting.
‘I think that’s your present to Santa… That’s Santa coming late,’ said Lyon.
Elgar replied, ‘I’ve been a good boy.’
‘Never,’ said Lyon. ‘You’re never on the good list.’
Elgar’s luck ran out in the 23rd over when he tried to challenge Marnus Labuschagne’s brilliant fielding for a quick single and was run out by a direct hit from cover.
Elgar’s luck ran out in the 23rd over when he tried to challenge Marnus Labuschagne’s brilliant fielding for a quick single and was run out by a direct hit from cover.
Justin Langer was very critical of the opening session from South Africa, who are in danger of another first innings batting collapse.
‘The great Allan Border once told me, Test cricket is about five days of cricket. What we’ve seen in this first session, we’ve seen some pretty dumb cricket from South Africa,’ Langer told 7 Cricket.
‘It was a poor decision by the captain to bring on Marnus in the first session. A cardinal sin. Run outs in Test cricket are a cardinal sin. Then what happens, Bavuma next ball. Suddenly ran out. We saw some tough decisions by South Africa today.’
Justin Langer was very critical of the opening session from South Africa, who are in danger of another first innings batting collapse
A pre-match ceremony paid tribute to Shane Warne, who loved the MCG and famously took his 700th wicket at.
Floppy hats and zinc, both synonymous with ‘Warnie’, can be seen throughout the MCG, even as the broadcast teams at Channel 7 and Fox Cricket wear thoughtful tribute items.
After Cummins won the toss and sent a roar around the MCG when he announced the side would bowl first, tributes poured in for Warne, who died in March earlier this year aged 52; shocked the entire cricket world.
It was the most emotional start to a Boxing Day Test ever seen, as fans, players and family members paid tribute to Shane Warne
A video tribute featuring the Coldplay song ‘Yellow’ played around for the first Test played at Warne’s home ground since his death. Warne is very close to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.
Warne’s former teammate Simon Katich paid tribute to one of the greatest characters, on and off the field, the game has ever seen.
‘He became true to himself. He is who he is and he doesn’t try and be anybody else,’ the former Aussie opener told Channel 7.
Floppy hats and zinc, both synonymous with ‘Warnie’, can be seen throughout the MCG, even broadcast teams at Channel 7 and Fox Cricket wear thoughtful tribute items
‘He is also the greatest leg spinner of all time. I also loved how respectful he was to our families and the time he gave to the kids and fans of the game.
‘He is very generous with his time, with charity, with the land, and also passes on his knowledge to the younger generation. So, it’s special to pay tribute to him,’ said Katic.
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