Australia has defeated South Africa by 118 runs in the Durban Test on Monday. However, what grabbed a lot of eyeballs of the on-field audience as well as Twitter users was the Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s attitude towards AB de Villers, after the latter’s run-out on Sunday.
AB de Villiers was dismissed for a golden duck after some fine work from David Warner and Lyon. But, what followed immediately after the run-out, is something that can be described as an act of lack of sportsmanship. Lyon, after knocking over the stumps to run-out De Villiers, was caught dropping the ball on the batsman as he ran to celebrate with his teammates.
Here’s how Twitterati lashed out at Nathan Lyon:
@davidwarner31 and Nathan Lyon behaviour terrible there. Great wicket but seriously pull your heads in. #embarrassing #SAvsAUS @CricketAus
— Michael Johnson (@japanesejohno) March 4, 2018
Bad sportsmanship @NathLyon421. #pullyourheadin
— Ricky Dougall (@rickydougall) March 4, 2018
Just saw replay of A. B. De Villers run out and as an Aussie supporter I am ashamed at the way our potential new test captain @davidwarner31 carried on. Not to mention Nathan Lyon dropping the ball on him when he’s on the ground @CricketAus #grub #neverchange #SAvAus
— Keith Trenerry (@Dashing_keith) March 4, 2018
Very disrespectful of Nathan Lyon to drop the ball on de Villiers like he dd #SAvAUS
— freedomsquid (@FreedomSquid) March 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/woppy07/status/970228756345335809
Hmm not real cool by Nathan Lyon dropping the ball on De Villiers after wicket #savaus 🤔
— Steve Dean (@stevedeanski) March 4, 2018
Nice celebration when AB got out, some things just don't change… You, Nathan Lyon and Starc great examples of how @CricketAus play the game… Never going to win any fans anywhere
— Jurie Schoeman (@Jurie_S) March 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/garethawhite/status/970230987593584640
Very disrespectful of Nathan Lyon to drop the ball on de Villiers like he dd #SAvAUS
— freedomsquid (@FreedomSquid) March 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/gerhardm1983/status/970228373392953344
Nathan Lyon is really easy to dislike. Gloating then dropping the ball in your opponents face is not in the spirit of the game. If one of my players ever did that they wouldn’t be playing again for me.
— Andy Emmott 💙💛 (@AndyEmmott) March 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/jaholt47/status/970228965477617664
Poor sportsmanship by Nathan Lyon and David Warner…but then what's new not only are the Aussies poor loosers but bad winners too. #SAvAUS
— Anthony Colaco (@neo569) March 5, 2018
Delighted @NathLyon421 is being charged for what he did to an absolute legend of the game A B De Villiers. Love to see Lyon do that to Ben stokes next ashes and see what happens 😂
— Ed Banthorp (@BigEdBanthorp) March 5, 2018
