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Lyon gets a taste of Piastri-ball in the Lord's nets

By AAP Newswire

Jun 27, 2023

Oscar Piastri. — F1 star Oscar Piastri showed he can handle a bat and ball at an Aussie practice session in London. -AP

Never mind Bazball. Nathan Lyon has had to admit defeat in the Lord's nets to the new cricketing force that is Piastriball.

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Oscar Piastri, Australia's lone Formula One driver, sped into the home of cricket on Monday, invited to have a bit of fun at the end of practice by the national team before Wednesday's second Ashes Test.

And McLaren's rookie demonstrated that he packs a punch with the bat as he took on first-Test hero Lyon, having been loaned the spinner's bat and batting gear, and caught hold of a real beauty aimed over mid-wicket.

"Yeah, he hit it pretty well - I'll give it to him," said an impressed Lyon, when one onlooker suggested it would have been a six if it hadn't ballooned into the nets.

"Well played!"

He also liked the look of Piastri's forward defensive, laughing: "He's almost got a better defence than a Pom ... am I allowed to say that?"

London-based Piastri, who was enjoying a free day before flying off for the Austrian Grand Prix, also faced a few - thankfully gentle - deliveries from Mitchell Starc, and also looked to have some pace himself as he hurled down an over at Marnus Labuschagne.

He wasn't the only star visitor hanging around the nets, with the team also meeting up with Geelong's AFL legend Joel Selwood.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press