'No one has right..': Nathan Lyon reflects on his snub
What's the story
Nathan Lyon, Australia's veteran spinner, has said that no player is guaranteed a spot in the national Test team. Lyon is likely to make his comeback in the third Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval after being dropped for the second time in three Tests. Despite his exclusion from recent matches, Lyon remains confident about his role and contribution to the team.
Selection thoughts
Lyon's perspective on selection and performance
Lyon said, "I've played 140 Test matches, I feel like I don't have a point to prove to anyone." However, he also acknowledged that no one has a right to be selected without putting in hard work. "And no one's got a given right to be selected. You've got to work your backside off to make sure that you put your hand up for selection and you earn that right," Lyon added.
Performance history
Lyon's record at Adelaide and future expectations
Adelaide is Lyon's favorite ground in world cricket, where he has taken 63 Test wickets at an average of 25.36 with four five-wicket hauls. However, his performance has declined due to limited bowling opportunities. In the last two red-ball Tests for Australia at home, he bowled only eight overs. Despite this, Lyon is hopeful about his chances in the upcoming match against England's batters who have yet to face him properly in this series.
Career goals
Lyon's milestone and aspirations
Lyon is just one wicket away from becoming Australia's second-highest Test wicket-taker, surpassing Glenn McGrath. He last took a wicket in Grenada in July, and hopes to achieve this milestone at Adelaide. "I dare say, potentially, may be like a little fairytale I guess," Lyon said about the possibility of overtaking McGrath.
Stats
Here are his overall stats
Overall in Tests, Lyon has picked 562 wickets from 140 matches at an average of 30.16. He has 24 fifers under his belt. He also owns five 10-wicket match hauls in Test cricket. As many as 268 of his Test wickets have come from 73 home matches at 31.11. In the Ashes, Lyon has bagged a total of 110 wickets from 31 games at 29.50. He owns two five-wicket hauls with the best of 6/49.