Live Cricket Update – AUS vs ENG 2nd Test – Live Report – England bat first, Australia leave Lyon out
Nathan Lyon has been dropped in favour of an extra seamer•Getty Images
Andrew McGlashan at the Gabba: When Nathan Lyon was left out in Jamaica earlier this year Tony Dodemaide, the selector on tour, termed it “exceptional circumstances” and a “one-off”. Well, three Tests later it has happened again with Lyon benched at the Gabba so Australia can field an all-pace attack, although supplemented by Michael Neser and not a return for captain Pat Cummins.
Lyon missing out for this Test was a notion trailed since the opening Test finished; a combination of his lack of overs in that game against England’s freewheeling batters and the fact he only bowled one over in last season’s day-night against India in Adelaide. Still, as this Test neared, it felt as though his overall pink-ball record – 43 wickets at 25.62 – and concerns that the ball can soft at his ground would work in his favour.
But that is not how it has played out, and from a distance it looked like a very late call from Australia’s hierarchy. It is just the second home Test Lyon has missed since his debut – a run of 69 matches before today – with the other being against India at the WACA in 2012 when Australia fielded an all-pace attack.
Lyon was left out in Jamaica earlier this year•Associated Press
“Pink ball, we think it’s going to offer quite a bit, particularly later on under lights with no daylight savings here we play in the night a lot and thought that was going to be the best attack to take 20 wickets in this fixture,” Steven Smith said at the toss.
What does this all mean for Lyon? In the aftermath of not playing at Sabina Park he said he ultimately understood the decision but was still disappointed, believing he can play a role in all conditions. That day in Jamaica, conditions with the pink Dukes ball were on the extreme end; whether it plays out the same way in Brisbane, time will tell.
He will surely be back for the next Test in Adelaide, a day game, followed by the contests at the MCG and SCG. But it is now unarguable, that when Australia play day-night Tests, Lyon can no longer be assured of a place in the XI. And that is quite a shift.
