RICKY PONTING has apologised on Sky Sports after Kevin Pietersen’s controversial Nathan Lyon comments.

When Lyon went out to bat with an injured right calf yesterday, Pietersen suggested that the 35-year-old sustaining a concussion would allow Australia to get Todd Murphy in.

The former England Ashes hero said on Sky Sports: “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.”

Lyon later slammed the crass comments, citing the death of his late friend Phil Hughes.

Hughes tragically died aged just 25 in 2014 after being struck in the neck during a game.

Lyon said: “I have heard comments that people thought I went out there to get hit in the head, and I’m really against that because I’ve lost one of my mates due to being hit in the head.

“So I think that’s a really poor excuse or conversation being had.”

At the start of today’s play, Ponting took to the mic to address the comments.

Live on Sky Sports, he said: “I just wanted to clarify some comments that were made in the commentary box yesterday.

“When Nathan Lyon came out to bat, Kevin Pietersen was talking about the potential of Nathan Lyon getting hit in the head and what that would mean as far as a concussion substitute would mean.

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“In no way at all were any of us saying that it would be good to see Nathan Lyon get hit in the head and have a replacement.

“In fact it was the other, it was almost the worst case scenario for England, if they continue to bowl short and Nathan was hit.

“I just wanted to clarify that because there has been some negative chat around this morning which has probably been a little bit unfair.

“And it was a little bit of fun chat around the back of the commentary box as far as worst case scenario for England, not best case scenario for Australia.

“By no means would anyone at all ever hope to see somebody get hit in the head.”

Fans praised Lyon for his heroic effort as he hobbled out to bat.

One said: “This is one of the greatest moments in cricket history.”

While another declared: “Unbelievable scenes, Lyon hobbling down stairs, helped by teammates, he has been on crutches.”

A third noted: “Huge respect to Lyon going out to bat injured.”