Matt Prior has ramped up his counter-attack on Nathan Lyon, saying Australia’s offspinner “embarrassed” himself and should worry about the prospect of his own career ending this summer.
Lyon fanned the flames ahead of the first Ashes Test in Brisbane that starts on Thursday, claiming Australia want to usher some Englishmen into retirement this summer.
“Could we end some careers? I hope so,” Lyon said.
“I know Joe Root got dropped last time when he was here so it would be good to get him dropped again.
“There’s a lot of scars for the English guys. Especially coming over here, especially when we have two guys bowling 150kmh and not just one now.”
Lyon accused some England batsmen of being frightened when facing pace ace Mitchell Johnson four years ago, saying wicketkeeper Prior wanted to fly home before the third Test of that series.
“He was one of the senior players. He was scared,” Lyon quipped.
Prior, who is now retired, told reporters Lyon’s comments were laughable, “completely ridiculous and … wholeheartedly untrue”.
He followed up with a fresh barrage of barbs on Tuesday afternoon (AEDT).
“I sincerely hope you’re not part of a losing @CricketAus team on home soil @NathLyon421. I still remember being sat on the outfield at the SCG after winning 3-1 while your press&fans were tearing into the Oz players. You want to end careers? Just make sure its not yours that ends,” Prior wrote.
“Last time someone spouted a whole load of BS about me I stayed quiet.
“There was no way I was getting on a plane home. You’ve embarrassed yourself @NathLyon421 & this game has a funny way of biting back.”
The 2013-14 series in Australia hastened the end of Jonathan Trott, Graeme Swan and Kevin Pietersen’s Test careers.
Prior and current captain Root were dropped during the series, while coach Andy Flower lost his job after the whitewash.
Alan
Guest
KP did say the English dressing room sh@t itself collectively at the Gabba so it seems like Gaz might not be too far off the mark with Matt. ?
armchair expert
Guest
It reminds me of the reaction from Ponting,Warne and co when Tufnell sledged them at the Border Medal.
JohnB
Guest
To be fair to Lyon the number of England careers ended or left on their absolute last legs after the last Ashes tour was pretty substantial - Pietersen, Swann, Trott, Carberry, Panesar, Tremlett, Rankin, Borthwick, Bresnan and Prior himself (and if you stretch it a bit and count Finn, you have a nice neat XI). Of those, the only ones with a theoretical chance of coming back is Borthwick and Finn.
JimmyB
Guest
I can only presume that their is a rather large wager going on between current and former Aussie players as to who can make the biggest prat of themselves before the action starts, they are literally tripping over each other it seems to get in front of a camera or a mic or both. It's seeming like a pretty close run thing at the moment, but it's still anyone's to win though.
BurgyGreen
Guest
Gee it was a bit of a throwaway line from Lyon, but now the media's picked up on it, Prior's smashed the bait and it's become a big story. Classic Ashes beat-up.
Rellum
Roar Guru
The only people that I have seen complain about players being boring in interviews(translate: The game is missing characters) is journo's who just want easy headline to write. Unless a player is talking in depth about technique, tactics or the mental battle of the game I would rather just not hear from them personally.
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
It's funny don't you think. Supporters generally complain about bland non-event interviews with players, and then when a player actually says something remotely interesting, he is roundly condemned. I'm surprised by Prior's furious response. He has kept the media beat-up going. If it's not true, and nobody believes it, why give the claims oxygen. Lyon has certainly touched a raw nerve.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Lyon's comment might have been dumb but it was clearly only a light-hearted jab. I'm sure he doesn't actually think Prior was scared or that Joe Root is any chance at all of getting dropped (lol, that should have been the giveaway). I can't remember the last time I heard Lyon say anything that wasn't a bit of a joke. This is the guy who stopped the last Shield game with burnt toast, after all. Once Prior calms down I think he's going to feel a bit silly for biting so hard.
James
Guest
Gotta love the return to the days of an Aussie spinner getting under the English skin before a ball has been bowled
Mike Dugg
Guest
Lyon better hope that he bowls as well as he did in Asia. Let's hope he doesn't get embarrassed like he did last summer and in county cricket recently where he was pasted to all parts.
Dexter The Hamster
Guest
After watching quite a lot of Matt Prior, there is no way you could call him scared. He was a fighter, and tough as they come. I don't mind a big of niggle on the field (Prior gave as good as he got), but having a crack at a former player and throwing names at them, and calling into question their character, when they have no right of reply on the field, is a bit weak if you ask me. Nathan Lyon might be better suited to focusing on his own game, We need him.