Australia has gambled on an all-pace attack for the pink-ball Ashes Test against England at the Gabba, omitting veteran spinner Nathan Lyon in a bombshell selection call.
Following days of speculation about the make-up of Australia’s team, Lyon has been dropped in favour of seamer Michael Neser, who joins fellow quicks Scott Boland, Mitchell Starc and Brendan Doggett in the side.
The last time Australia played a home Test without Lyon in the starting XI was the 2012 WACA match against India.
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The 38-year-old wasn’t selected for Australia’s previous day-night Test, July’s 176-run victory against the West Indies in Jamaica, when the hosts were rolled for 27, while he was hardly required during last week’s Ashes opener at Perth Stadium, contributing two wicketless overs in a two-day contest dominated by seamers.
Through no fault of his own, Lyon has been nullified by Australia’s pace-friendly decks that produce short Test matches, meaning he rarely gets an opportunity to bowl on the fifth day, when conditions suit him best.
“He hasn’t been utilised a huge amount, he wasn’t really needed in Perth,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.
“It’s a big call, the conditions are hot, the pitch looks a good one, generally you want a slow-bowling option in Brisbane.”
Elsewhere, Ashes villain Stuart Broad admitted he “couldn’t believe” Lyon had missed out.
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Speaking at the toss, Australian stand-in captain Steve Smith explained that Brisbane’s early sunset contributed to the decision, with the pace bowlers getting additional time to work their magic under floodlights.
“Pink ball, we think it’s going to offer quite a bit, particularly later on under lights,” Smith said.
“With no daylight savings here, you play in the night a lot.
“We thought that’s going to be the best (team) to take 20 wickets in this particular fixture.”
Lyon has a superb record in pink-ball Tests, taking 43 scalps at 25.62 across 13 matches – only Starc boasts more wickets in the format.
During Australia’s previous day-night Test at the Gabba, a narrow loss to the West Indies in January 2024, Lyon bowled 50 overs and claimed five wickets, proving crucial when the pink Kookaburra softened and the pace bowlers started to show signs of fatigue.
Ironically, England added spinner Will Jacks to the starting XI for the Brisbane Test, with captain Ben Stokes suggesting that Lyon’s success in day-night Tests influenced the decision.
“He’s got a great record in pink-ball Test matches,” Australian great Mark Waugh said of Lyon.
“He offers variety and a balance to the bowling attack.
“I’m actually surprised he’s not playing.”
Nathan Lyon was dropped for a home Test for the first time in 14 years.Source: Getty Images
Speaking to Fox Cricket at the Gabba, former Australian fast bowler Brett confessed he was “a little bit shocked” Lyon wasn’t playing, but appreciated the reasoning behind the decision.
“Normally when you have a Test team picked, whether you’re playing under lights or wherever you’re playing around the world, a spinner’s definitely in the line-up,” Lee said.
“Lyon is Australia’s greatest off-spinner to ever play the game, so I was surprised more than anything that he wasn’t included.
“But I can also understand in the same breath the reason why they’ve gone with an all-out pace attack. It’s a big call, but I can see why they’ve done it.”
Lee suggested that England’s aggressive approach to batting contributed to the decision, considering the Gabba Test is unlikely to go for five days.
“If you look at Perth, England didn’t last two days,” he continued.
“Lyon comes into his element day three, four, five. Will this go to five days? Probably not. He’s definitely suited from the middle to the back-end of a Test match.
“I think it’s going to be a short Test again.”
However, Lee still predicted that Lyon would be one of the first players picked for the remaining three Tests against England, expecting the pink-ball omission to be a one-off this summer.
“He’s earned that right,” Lee said.
“He’s definitely the first pick (in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney).”
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During the first session of the Gabba Test, as opener Zak Crawley and superstar Joe Root rebuilt the innings following an early stumble, Waugh warned that Australia may have made a mistake by leaving out a strike spinner, with the attack lacking variety.
“The Australians have got five legitimate fast bowlers if you count Cameron Green, so it is a lot of the same sort of bowling,” Waugh said.
“I just wonder if not having that variety is going to come back to bite them in this game.”
He continued: “It effects the balance of the team. It could work out for Australia and the selectors, but I can’t help but think they have overloaded their quick bowlers here.
“I just think it was an unnecessary change in the bowling line-up.”
Former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe also struggled to get his head around the decision, declaring on commentary: “I can’t agree with the non selection of a spinner on a dry pitch.
“I know it’s a day-nighter and I know it’s the pink ball, but I still can’t come to terms with it.”
He added: “All the chips are on Australia to go 2-0 up and then normal transmission may resume, it’s risky.
“And the spinners in the recent Shield game here both bounced it a lot and bounce his Lyon’s greatest asset.”
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