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Nathan Lyon's perfect response to cruel England taunts

Nathan Lyon has opened up about his Headingley heartbreak, suggesting he quickly cast the devastation aside as the "best bowling attack in the world" regrouped to help Australia retain the Ashes.

Australia missed plenty of chances to win the third Test but Lyon's fumbling of a Pat Cummins throw, which meant he failed to complete a run-out that would have secured the urn and a one-run win, came to be the defining image.

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An inconsolable Lyon hit the turf after Ben Stokes' snatched victory in that match, with Tim Paine having to literally pick him up.

The offspinner was jeered throughout the fourth Test about that mistake, with local fans regularly offering sarcastic applause when he took the ball.

Nathan Lyon, pictured here in action during the fourth Ashes Test.
Nathan Lyon in action during the fourth Ashes Test. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Lyon also struggled with a cut on his spinning finger at Old Trafford but enjoyed the last laugh, snaring 2-51 as Australia turned the screws to take a 2-1 series lead.

"The crowd was up and about this whole game but that's good banter. I enjoyed that," Lyon said.

"We're going to have a couple of beers tonight and celebrate because the urn is coming home, I'm not sure what the 9000 people in that stand are doing.

"Mistakes are going to happen and it's all about the way you bounce back.

"Obviously you're devastated. I wear my heart on my sleeve and playing cricket for Australia means everything for me."

Lyon reveals family issues

Legend Ricky Ponting and teammates made a point to try to ensure Lyon didn't feel culpable in Leeds but the 31-year-old revealed he didn't need any reminders to put the relative importance of the result in perspective.

"I've had some family issues over the past - my uncle's quite sick. You realise quite quickly it's just a game," Lyon said.

"Mistakes happen. I didn't meant to drop the run-out or anything like that but I had him plumb next ball. That's just the game of cricket.

"You've got to pick yourself up."

Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith, pictured here after Australia's Ashes victory.
Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith celebrate Australia's Ashes victory. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Lyon dismissed Joe Denly, who spent longer at the crease on day five at Old Trafford than any other batsman, and Jofra Archer on Sunday despite a finger injury he likened to a singer losing their voice.

"You have to find a way to compete," Lyon said.

"I was pretty proud of that bowling effort, to take 20 wickets on that pitch.

"I think we've got the best bowling attack in the world.

"But there's still a lot of work to do if we want to become a great cricket side ... the biggest goal in my career has been to win the Ashes away, we're 2-1 up and I want to go 3-1."