Pietersen,one of Australia’s greatest Ashes foes during his career,floated the suggestionafter Lyon hobbled out to bat on Saturday with a badly injured right calf that is likely to end his tour and open the door for fellow off-spinner Todd Murphy to make his debut.
“Imagine if he[Lyon] had been hit on the head and got concussion,he’d have got a like-for-like replacement and a world class spinner Todd Murphy,based on how he performed in India,it gives food for thought,” Pietersen said on Sky sports.
Hughes collapsed on the pitch after being struck in the neck by a short ball playing a Sheffield Shield match for South Australia against New South Wales at the SCG during November 2014 and died in hospital two days later.
Lyon was clearly emotional during his press conference after play on Saturday where he discussed the implications of his injury and the likelihood of his tour being over. He was playing his 100th consecutive Test and needs four more wickets to reach the 500 wicket milestone.
“It’s been a lot down more than up. I have been absolutely shattered. I have been in tears,I have been upset,I have been hurting,” he said. “That shows this team means everything to me. And I will start this rehab journey now to get back and play my role and keep loving what I am able to do.
“I’ve got a decent tear in my right calf. It is pretty obvious. I am sitting down with our medical team tomorrow and we will have a chat about that. Pretty shattering,pretty gutted. Pretty speechless if I am being honest. But I have a lot of confidence in that changeroom and just thrilled to be part of this team.