Lyon feels ‘filthy’ after rare Test omission

Spinner Nathan Lyon describes being dropped from an Australia side for the first time since 2012 as “absolutely filthy.”

Pat Cummins, who is recovering from a back injury, is also missing for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

However, the shock was caused by Lyon’s omission, which was Australia’s third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, with the hosts opting for an all-seam attack for the day-night Test at the Gabba.

The decision was described as “bombshell” on Cricket Australia’s website.

Lyon described a “short” conversation with head coach Andrew McDonald and selector George Bailey in an interview with Australian TV Channel 7.

When Lyon was questioned about his feelings, he responded, “Absolutely filthy.”

“To be honest, I haven’t really sat down with [McDonald] or George yet. I’m letting things settle in my own head, making sure I’m doing everything in my power to ensure that the Australian representatives in the middle do what they can to get the desired outcome.

“I won’t be the last player to miss a Test match, and neither will I.” I’m obviously devastated because I am aware of the potential role I can play in Australian cricket, particularly in a setting like this.

Bailey claimed Lyon disagreed with the decision because he was also ruled out of the previous day-night Test against West Indies in July.

Nathan will disagree with the decision, according to Bailey, which is perfectly acceptable. He “believed that he disagreed with the Jamaican decision, which was perfectly acceptable.”

Players don’t have any reservations about their ability to influence the game, and the truth is, he could have.

Michael Neser, a seamer who had two previous pink-ball appearances, won a third cap in the match.

Steve Smith, the stand-in Australia captain, said: “Pat was close. He has succeeded in every way. He’s tracking well for the upcoming game, despite our initial concern that it might have been a little risky.

We anticipate that the pink ball will offer a lot, particularly in the underbelly, particularly later. We frequently play at night, and we anticipated that this would be the best attack to take 20 wickets in this game.

Only Lyon and the legendary seamer Glenn McGrath have Test-tried to score more Test wickets than the legendary Shane Warne. The 38-year-old needs two more to move past McGrath’s 562 and to the top of the list.

In January 2012, Lyon was last excluded from a home Test against India at the Waca. He had won 71 home tests in a row.

Given Lyon’s history at the Gabba and how quickly this ball softens, “I’m really surprised Australia left him out,” said former England spinner Alex Hartley on Test Match Special.

“Labuschagne can bowl a little bit, but maybe they’re thinking they have enough part-time spinners to do that.”

In three Tests, Lyon has now gone back to the 176-run defeat of West Indies in Jamaica.

Lyon remarked, “Disappointed on a number of levels, based on that decision. I still firmly believe that I am capable of playing a role in any situation.

Every cricket player should have the same idea that “I want to play every game for Australia, and I just have to believe that I can play a role in any situation.”

Neser lengthens Australia’s batting order to number eight and has the knowledge that Gabba is his home ground, but only Warne and McGrath surpass Lyon in Brisbane in terms of wickets.

Josh Inglis, who was born in Leeds, replaced Usman Khawaja in the Australian team as expected. Inglis is listed at number seven while Travis Head is still the opener.

Will Jacks, an injured fast bowler, will replace Mark Wood in the England XI that had already been confirmed.

England has won at the Gabba twice since 1986, and they have never lost in any of their previous three Australian pink-ball matches.