Lyon out of home Test for first time since 2012

For the first time in a home match since 2012, Nathan Lyon was withdrawn from the Australian side, and Pat Cummins, the hosts’ skipper, was also unavailable for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane.

Cummins is still a patient patient as he recovers from a back injury despite speculation that he might make a surprise comeback despite not being named in the squad.

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

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

Michael Neser, a seamer, received a third cap as a result. Neser’s only two previous Test appearances were pink-ball matches.

Stand-in Australia captain Steve Smith 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.

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, ex-Australian spinner Alex Hartley said in Test Match Special.

“You might need someone to hold up an end, but Labuschagne can bowl a little, because they may not have enough part-time spinners to do that.”

Lyon has now been cut out of the Australia XI twice in three Test matches, and he was also excluded from the side’s 176-run victory over West Indies in Jamaica in July.

Lyon responded, “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 that conviction in mind, and I want to play every game for Australia.

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.