Nathan Lyon is set to dropped for AUS vs BAN 2nd Test | PC- AFP
Last week, the Pat Cummins-led Australia team faced a shambolic defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the opening Test match at Darwin. Ahead of the next match at Mackay, Cummins hinted at taking a massive call on Nathan Lyon's career.
As Bangladesh toppled the mighty Aussies, they became the second Asian side, after India, to win a Test match in Australia in this century.
After a harsh defeat, the home team is set to undergo a massive change that could bring the curtains down on an illustrious career.
Pat Cummins, head coach McDonald at loggerheads for Nathan Lyon
Pat Cummins, on the eve of the AUS vs BAN 2nd Test, hinted at playing a four-bowler seam attack rather than playing three quicks and a spinner. However, soon after head coach Andrew McDonald inspected the pitch, Nathan Lyon retained his place.
“Captain Cummins says they are considering picking four quicks and leaving out Nathan Lyon,” Australian journalist Daniel Brettig of The Age wrote on X.
However, barely a hour after Cummins made a big statement, Cricket Australia (CA) announced the AUS vs BAN 2nd Test Playing XI, with Lyon and Marnus Labuschagne in it.
Also Read: Bangladesh Head Coach Phil Simmons Warns His Own Team Despite Historic Test Win vs Australia
It is worth mentioning that Lyon has been the pillar of the Australian bowling department in the longest format. Debuting in 2011, he has featured in 142 Test matches, scalping 568 wickets at 30.32.
Not only has he been the most successful Australian spinner since the great Shane Warne, but he sits second in his country's all-time wicket tally.
Bangladesh neutralised Nathan Lyon in Darwin
As Bangladesh annihilated Australia at Darwin, the Nathan Lyon threat was neutralised by the Asian side. The experienced off-spinner failed to break partnerships throughout the Bangladesh innings, with the big quicks having a long day at the office.
Lyon, during the second innings, bowled a total of 31 overs, during which he returned with just a solitary wicket of Tanzid Hasan, that too after he completed his century.
On a tough day on the field, the 38-year-old spinner was no help, as the likes of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc had to bowl nearly the same number of overs as Lyon.
Is this the end of the road for Nathan Lyon?
As reported earlier, Cricket Australia has decided to test the next generation of Australian cricketers, especially before the next Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2027) in India. Thus, the national selectors are planning to earmark a few names to travel to the subcontinent with the Australia A squad.
The 19-year-old Ollie Peake, who has yet to score a FC century, is the frontrunner to get fast-tracked to the Test set-up, alongside Nathan McSweeney and Kurtis Patterson. Moreover, the next-in-line bowlers will also be picked soon, with the current Australian Test quartet pushing 40s.
With Nathan Lyon being the most experienced in both matches and age, he could soon be phased out in favour of Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli, who are being polished.
Also Read: Salman Agha, Rizwan's Comedy Of Errors Saves Dan Lawrence In PAK vs ENG 1st Test
