A Mitchell Johnson bouncer that struck India captain Virat Kohli on the helmet during the first Test on Thursday might actually help players get past the shock of Phillip Hughes' death, according to Australia spinner Nathan Lyon.
After taking the wicket of opener Murali Vijay before lunch on day three at Adelaide Oval, a fired-up Johnson banged in a short ball which struck Kohli flush on the badge of his helmet. With all mindful of fallen batsman Hughes, who died in hospital two days after being hit on the base of his skull, the Australian fielders bolted to the middle out of concern for Kohli, who took his helmet off to inspect it. Though fans at the ground had applauded the first short ball that India's Varun Aaron sent down to opener David Warner on day one, the Kohli-hit hushed the terraces and Australia captain Michael Clarke consoled Johnson as he walked back to his mark visibly distressed. Kohli was unharmed and went on to score a rousing 115 before Johnson returned to dismiss him late in the day... with another short ball.
Asked whether the blow and Kohli's response might assist players still struggling to cope with the loss of Hughes, Lyon said it might be beneficial.
"It probably has been a positive thing as well, as bad as that sounds. We know the helmets work, and... have that confidence for our quicks to have a bouncer again," said the off-spinner, who took two wickets as Australia battled to hold India to 369-5 in response to their first innings declaration at 517-7.
"Your heart skips a beat, especially for those four (NSW) guys out there. I went to everyone just to ask if they were okay because it's something that you don't want to see again when we were out there with Phil's (Hughes) incident. Today that sound was pretty familiar. That's why we all ran in there quite quickly to see if Virat was okay. That was the main thing."
Lyon said players had discussed the hit over lunch and Johnson had not been too affected by it.
Lyon said players had discussed the hit over lunch and Johnson had not been too affected by it.
"He's feeling good and I can guarantee he's going to come out and fire in the second innings and have that aggression that we all love him for," he added.
Johnson was off his best and was punished by India's batsmen, particularly by Kohli after the new ball was taken after tea. But the seamer fired up again after having the captain caught out and subjected India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha to a stern examination of short-pitched bowling in the final overs.
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