Nathan Lyon has been dropped from Australia’s team for a home Test match for the first time since 2012. Australia are also still without captain Pat Cummins for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, as he continues to recover from a back injury.
There had been talk that Cummins might return early, even though he wasn’t named in the squad, but he wasn’t ready in time. The bigger surprise, however, was the decision to leave out Lyon — Australia’s third-highest Test wicket-taker of all time. Australia instead chose to go with only fast bowlers for the day-night match at the Gabba. Even Cricket Australia’s website called the move a “bombshell.”
Because of Lyon’s omission, fast bowler Michael Neser was brought in for only his third Test, and all three of his appearances have now been in pink-ball games.
Stand-in captain Steve Smith explained the decision before play started. He said Cummins was “close” to returning but they didn’t want to risk making his injury worse. He also said the pink ball is expected to help the seamers, especially under the lights, which influenced their choice to go with an all-pace attack.
Only Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have more Test wickets for Australia than Lyon. He’s just two wickets behind McGrath’s total of 562. The last time Lyon was dropped for a home Test was back in January 2012, and he had played 71 straight home Tests since then.
Former England spinner Alex Hartley said she was surprised Lyon was dropped, given how well he usually performs at the Gabba and the fact that the pink ball can soften quickly — something that usually makes spinners useful. But Australia seem to feel they have enough part-time spin bowlers like Marnus Labuschagne to get by.
This is the second time in three Tests Lyon has been left out, after also missing the day-night Test in Jamaica against West Indies earlier this year. Lyon admitted he was disappointed, saying he believes he can contribute in any conditions and wants to play every match for Australia.
Neser strengthens Australia’s batting at number eight and knows the Gabba well as his home ground, though Lyon has an outstanding record there.
As expected, Josh Inglis replaced the injured Usman Khawaja, with Travis Head staying as opener. Inglis is set to bat at number seven.
England also confirmed their team, with Will Jacks replacing the injured Mark Wood. England have not won at the Gabba since 1986 and have lost all three of their pink-ball Tests in Australia. This match is also the first time England have batted first in a day-night Test in Australia, after captain Ben Stokes won the toss for the seventh Test in a row.
