Here's how Nathan Lyon reacted to his Ashes Test omission
What's the story
Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon expressed his disappointment at being dropped from the second Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series against England. The decision was made by the Australian team management, which opted for an all-pace attack for the Brisbane Test. Michael Neser replaced Lyon in the squad while Josh Inglis took Usman Khawaja's place after he was ruled out due to injury. Here's what Lyon said.
Omission revelation
Lyon learns about his omission on match day
Lyon revealed he learned about his exclusion from the squad only after arriving at the ground on match day. "I found out as I came to ground, as I always do, pretty early, about 12 o'clock and found out about 12:30," he told 7Cricket. The decision was made due to the pace-friendly nature of recent Test matches which limited Lyon's ability to impact games on such surfaces.
Response strategy
'Absolutely filthy': Lyon's reaction after Brisbane snub
Reacting to his exclusion, Lyon said he was "absolutely filthy" but didn't have a detailed conversation with the team management yet. "To be honest I haven't really sat down with 'Ronnie' [McDonald] or George yet. I'm letting things settle down in my own head and trying to make sure that I'm doing whatever I can to make sure the guys out in the middle representing Australia do the right thing and get the right result for us."
Let down
Extremely disappointed, says Lyon
A gutted Lyon said he is extremely disappointed as he knows what role he can play. "I'm not the first player to miss a Test match and I won't be the last. I'm obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially at a venue like this. Extremely disappointed, but I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure these guys get up."
Do you know?
Lyon has a sound record at The Gabba, Brisbane
As per ESPNcricinfo, in 14 Tests at The Gabba, Brisbane, Lyon has picked 52 scalps at 28.82. He owns two four-fers. He is the 2nd-highest wicket-taker among spinners. With 68 scalps, former legend Shane Warne leads the show.
Information
Lyon is Australia's 3rd-highest wicket-taker in Tests
Lyon is the 3rd-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Tests. In 140 matches, he owns 562 wickets at 30.16. The spinner is only behind Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563).
Bailey
'Perfectly OK': Bailey on Lyon disagreeing with the decision
Australian selector Bailey said Lyon, who was also left out of Australia's previous D/N Test against West Indies in July, disagreed with the decision. "Nathan will disagree with the decision, and that's perfectly OK," Bailey said. "I think he disagreed with the decision in Jamaica, and that was perfectly OK. There's no qualms about players feeling like they can impact the game and the fact of the matter is he could have."