For the first time in over a decade—excluding injury setbacks—Nathan Lyon found himself out of Australia’s Test XI, and while he admits the decision left him disappointed, the veteran off-spinner says he understands the reasoning behind it.
Lyon was left out of the playing XI in the final Test of the West Indies tour in Jamaica. It marked the first time since 2013 that he missed a Test without being sidelined by injury. Australia opted for a four-pacer attack for the day-night Test at Sabina Park, bringing in Scott Boland in Lyon’s place.
Speaking to the media for the first time since that omission, Lyon didn’t hide his disappointment—especially at missing teammate and close friend Mitchell Starc’s 100th Test.
“There’s nothing to hide. I was disappointed by the decision, but I completely understood it,” Lyon said.
“There were a couple of things that frustrated me. First, I genuinely believe I can play a role in any condition—and I still believe that. Second, not being out there with Starcy was hard. I’ve played more than 90 Tests with him, and it would’ve been amazing to share his 100th on the field. But I was still there, running drinks, being part of the team.”
Lyon added:
“I want to play every Test for Australia and I believe I can contribute in all conditions. Every cricketer should have that belief.”
Despite being left out, Lyon had made valuable contributions in the first two Tests, taking nine wickets on pace-friendly surfaces. In the final match, Boland took a hat-trick in the second innings, while Starc claimed 6 for 9—including the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history—as West Indies were bowled out for just 27, the second-lowest total in Test cricket.
“At the end of the day, we have to give them credit. They made the right call. If I’m not playing, Scotty Boland is probably the one people want to see perform. For him to go out there, bowl like he always does, and take a hat-trick—it was something special. Watching them bowl West Indies out for 27 was incredible.”
The decision to drop Lyon and field four pacers has sparked speculation about whether Australia might adopt a similar strategy in the upcoming Ashes, especially in another day-night Test.
One factor behind the Jamaica decision was Lyon’s limited bowling in previous pink-ball matches. In the 2022 Hobart Ashes Test, he didn’t bowl a single over. In Adelaide last year against India, he bowled just one.
Despite that, Lyon, who has taken 562 wickets in 139 Tests, remains confident he’ll play a key role in the Ashes series—particularly in the first three Tests at venues where he has strong records: Perth’s Optus Stadium, the Gabba, and Adelaide Oval.
“I’m definitely not worried about my place in the team,” said the 37-year-old.
“I know my role, and the reason I missed that Test was purely down to conditions. I’m focused on maintaining my fitness and skills, performing well in the first three Sheffield Shield matches, and then being ready for the Perth Test.
I love bowling at Perth—actually, I love bowling all across Australia. So no, I have no doubt in my mind.”
