It was the first time since 2013 that he didn’t feature in Australia’s Test XI for a non-injury reason.
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon received a massive setback when he was dropped for the third Test against the West Indies in Jamaica earlier this month. It was the first time since 2013 that he didn’t feature in Australia’s Test XI for a non-injury reason.
NOT
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SOM
338/4
WEY
123/1
ESM
120/4
Weybridge beat East Molesey by 9 wickets
BAN
143/10
ESM
145/4
East Molesey beat Banstead by 6 wickets
WEY
129/7
SPE
166/3
Spencer beat Weybridge by 37 runs
SPE
126/1
BAN
146/7
WEY
–
BAN
–
ESM
–
SPE
–
TWI
–
SPE
–
ESM
–
WEY
–
WEY
–
TWI
–
ESM
–
TWI
–
GUG
197/9
NVR
71/10
Guwahati Giants beat Navarang Club by 126 runs
CCC
179/8
GTC
180/8
Gauhati Town Club beat City Cricket Club by 1 runs
BCC
–
91YC
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NAJC
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GUG
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PCR
–
BCC
–
GUJCC
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KZK
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RTZ
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KGC
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TCC
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JJ
–
ZIM
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NZ
–
ASS
128/10
BDS
51/10
Amo Sharks beat Boost Defenders by 77 runs
BAD
192/10
MAK
264/2
Mis Ainak Knights beat Band-e-Amir Dragons by 72 runs
BAD
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ASS
–
SGT
–
BDS
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WIU19-W
44/8
USAU19-W
104/7
WIU19-W
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USAU19-W
–
BRB-W
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SUR-W
–
AAC
74/10
PNC
75/0
Pakistan Champions beat Australia Champions by 10 wickets
IAC
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WIC
106/8
Finally, he has opened up about being left out of the XI, stating he was disappointed, even though he understood the reason why he was excluded, which logically can’t be termed ‘dropped’. Speaking during an appearance with a corporate partner of the Melbourne Renegades, Lyon expressed his wish to play all games for Australia, claiming that he can contribute across conditions.
“There’s no point hiding behind it; I was disappointed with the decision, but I totally understood it. Disappointed on a number of levels that: One, I believe I can play a role in any conditions, and I still honestly believe that. I want to play every game for Australia, and I’ve just got that belief that I can play a role in any conditions, as every cricketer should have that belief.”
Lyon made his Test debut in 2011 and has been a constant member of the team since then, having 562 wickets at an average of 30.14 and a 61.39 strike rate in 259 innings, including 24 five-wicket and five ten-wicket hauls. He is the third-leading wicket-taker for Australia in the longest format and will soon surpass Glenn McGrath (563), whereas he is also the fifth-most capped Australian Test player, with 139 outings.
Multiple factors must have been taken into account before deciding to drop a veteran like Nathan Lyon for the Jamaica Test. Firstly, it was a pink-ball Test, so pacers were obviously going to get more assistance, as is always the case in Day-Night Tests under lights.
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Secondly, Lyon’s utility wasn’t high in recent pink-ball Tests before this one, for he hardly got to bowl amidst the domination of fast bowlers. For instance, he bowled only a solitary over in the Adelaide Day-Night game against India last year and didn’t bowl at all in the Ashes 2021/22 fixture in Hobart, as pacers ruled the proceedings.
Then, the nature of pitches in the West Indies constantly demanded more pacers, who collectively averaged 17.67 compared to 26.27 by spinners in the series. Hence, Australia chose Scott Boland over Lyon as an additional seamer, and the move worked for the team.
Boland wreaked havoc by taking six wickets across both innings, including a hat-trick, and was instrumental in bundling the West Indies for a mere 27 in the second innings. Spinners didn’t get any wickets in the game, and Australia eventually made the right call by benching Lyon, who understands the team dynamics and remains an integral member of the Test side.
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