{"id":581528,"date":"2026-04-02T22:04:11","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T22:04:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/581528\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T22:04:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T22:04:11","slug":"shocking-update-could-spell-the-end-of-nathan-lyons-cricket-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/581528\/","title":{"rendered":"Shocking update could spell the end of Nathan Lyon’s cricket career"},"content":{"rendered":"

Veteran spinner is on the comeback from injury setback\u00a0<\/p>\n

By SCOTT BAILEY FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS <\/p>\n

Published: 17:12 EDT, 2 April 2026 | Updated: 17:12 EDT, 2 April 2026 <\/p>\n

Chief selector George Bailey has admitted Australia<\/a> may have to be realistic about Nathan Lyon’s ability to play every Test once the veteran spinner returns from hamstring surgery.<\/p>\n

Lyon is on track to return for Australia’s two Tests against Bangladesh in August, after tearing his hamstring last December in the third Ashes match in Adelaide.<\/p>\n

That series will kick off Australia’s busiest 12 months in history, with up to 21 Tests in the space of a year including tours of South Africa<\/a>, India<\/a> and England.<\/p>\n

Included in that stretch is a 12-week burst between December and March when Australia will play nine Tests, before the five-Test Ashes series in England next year.<\/p>\n

Lyon’s longevity has long been one of the 38-year-old’s greatest assets, having played 100 straight Tests between 2013 and 2023 before calf and hamstring tears in the past three years.<\/p>\n

Teammates have backed him to return given his work ethic, while Lyon’s successful rebound after a torn calf in the 2023 Ashes has yielded 71 wickets at an average of 24.22.<\/p>\n

\"George <\/p>\n

George Bailey warned Australia must be realistic about Nathan Lyon\u2019s workload after veteran spinner\u2019s serious hamstring injury recovery<\/p>\n

\"Lyon <\/p>\n

Lyon is targeting a return for Bangladesh Tests in August following surgery after tearing hamstring during Adelaide Ashes clash<\/p>\n

\"Australia <\/p>\n

Australia faces record-heavy schedule with up to 21 Tests in 12 months placing pressure on ageing players like Lyon<\/p>\n

Bailey stressed on Wednesday there would be no plan to manage Lyon’s workload or rest him from matches, but said officials had to be realistic about his return.<\/p>\n

‘It’s a pretty significant hamstring tendon injury to a 38-year-old, so there’s a sense of realism it may not ever get back to the upper echelon of where you need it to,’ Bailey said.<\/p>\n

‘So what does that look like?<\/p>\n

‘It may mean there’s not necessarily the capacity to play big blocks of games, and you may have to look at that.<\/p>\n

‘It’s just being a little bit aware that’s a possibility.’<\/p>\n

Bailey on Wednesday ruled out taking an eye to the future by playing fellow spinner Todd Murphy for the sake of it, adamant selection would still be merit-based for all Tests.<\/p>\n

After leaving Murphy out following Lyon’s injury last summer and going without a slow man in three of five Tests, spin is clearly back on Australia’s agenda for the next year.<\/p>\n

Next summer’s five-Test tour of India has prompted Murphy to be added to the national contract list that was released on Wednesday, while Lyon and Matt Kuhnemann remain on it.<\/p>\n

‘We’re just trying to maintain that connection particularly with Todd. He was really close to playing in Sydney. We like the skill set that he brings,’ Bailey said.<\/p>\n

‘India, we know we’re going to need the spin depth. England, we know we’re going to need some spin depth.<\/p>\n

‘Not entirely sure that’ll be applicable for South Africa (in October). And then the Top End (against Bangladesh) is probably a little bit of an unknown.’<\/p>\n

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