Australia’s captain Pat Cummins said they have considered all possibilities.
Apart from injury issues, Nathan Lyon has not missed a Test spot in over a decade. But now, even fully fit, there’s a chance this experienced off-spinner might be left out. Cummins hinted that Lyon might not play in the upcoming day-night Test against the West Indies.
Australia is slightly concerned about balancing the XI under Sabina Park’s conditions with the pink ball. So, Cummins hasn’t ruled out dropping Lyon to include an extra pacer for the match.
Lyon missed three Tests in 2023 Ashes due to a calf muscle injury — the first time he’s been out of the side since 2013.
Although pacers have dominated the ongoing Test series against West Indies, Lyon played in the first two matches and performed well, taking 9 wickets at an average of 18.33. He has now taken 562 Test wickets, placing him third among Australian bowlers in this format, just one wicket behind Glenn McGrath in second place.
Lyon has also excelled in day-night Tests, with 43 wickets at an average of 25.62 — better than his overall Test average of 30.14.
However, in the last season, Lyon bowled just one over in the pink-ball Test against India in Adelaide. And during the 2021-22 Ashes, he didn’t bowl at all in the day-night Hobart Test against England.
This upcoming Test against West Indies will be Australia’s first day-night Test away from home. The match starts Sunday. At Cummins’ press conference the day before, when asked about Lyon’s place in the XI, the captain kept fans guessing.
“Anything is possible, I think. Honestly, we haven’t made a decision on the playing XI yet… We’ll think about it today,” Cummins said.
Scott Boland, who has played three day-night Tests, has taken 12 wickets at an average of 16.75. Australia could consider selecting this pacer over Lyon for Sabina Park.
