Nathan Lion Drop (Photo: PTI)
Nathan Lyon Dropped: Australia has started the Pink Ball Test against England with an explosive decision. His explosive decision was regarding the team’s experienced spinner Nathan Lyon, whom he has dropped from the playing eleven of the Gabba Test. Australia’s acting captain Steve Smith told during the toss that Michael Neser has been included in the team in place of Nathan Lyon. With Nathan Lyon’s drop from the team, the streak of 69 Tests in Australia also ended.
Nathan Lyon dropped from home test after 13 years
In the context of 69 Tests, it means those home Tests in which Nathan Lyon has been a part of Australia’s playing eleven continuously. This is only the second time in Nathan Lyon’s Test career, which started in December 2011, that he has been dropped from a home Test. The decision to drop Lion from the playing eleven in the home Test for the last and first time was taken against India on 13 January 2012. And, now after 13 years he has again been dropped from the home Test. In the last 5082 days between 13 January 2012 and 4 December 2025, Nathan Lyon has played 69 consecutive home Tests for Australia.
Missed 2 out of last 3 tests, both day-night tests
This is the second time in the last 3 Tests played by Australia that Nathan Lyon has missed. The surprising thing is that both the tests he has missed have been pink ball tests. Nathan Lyon has taken 43 wickets at an average of 25.62 in the 13 pink ball tests played so far. Among the Australian bowlers who have taken the most wickets with the pink ball, only Mitchell Starc is ahead of him.
Not only pink ball test, wickets taken at Gaba too, still drop
Even at Gabba, where the Pink Ball Test is being played between Australia and England, Nathan Lyon is the highest wicket-taker after Warne and McGrath. He has taken 52 Test wickets at Gabba. After seeing these figures, Australia’s decision to drop him is definitely a bit shocking.