Cricket Dec 07, 2025

The Ashes 2025/26: Australia's Nathan Lyon 'filthy' and 'gutted' at being dropped in Brisbane for second Test

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
The Ashes 2025/26: Australia's Nathan Lyon 'filthy' and 'gutted' at being dropped in Brisbane for second Test

Australia spinner Nathan Lyon made no secret of his disappointment at being dropped for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, saying he felt "filthy" and was "gutted" at the decision.

Lyon has 562 Test wickets, putting him seventh all-time in the format, while he's third among Australians, trailing only the legendary Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563), who he is only one wicket behind.

Yet, the off-spinner was dropped for his first home Test since 2012, with Michael Neser picked ahead of him in an all-pace attack for the day-night contest at The Gabba.

"Absolutely filthy," Lyon said in an interview with Australia's host broadcaster Seven Network during day one.

"But yeah, I can't do anything about it, so I hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here."

Lyon, who has a stellar record in pink-ball Tests, with 43 wickets from 13 matches at an average of 25.62, and who averages 28.82 in Tests at The Gabba, said he had yet to discuss the decision to drop him with selectors.

"I just hadn't had it in me to sit down with the coach [Andrew McDonald] and George [Bailey - selectors' chair] at the moment," he added.

"That will happen. I'm not the first player to miss a Test match and I won't be the last.

"But, yeah, I'm obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially at a venue like this."

England went on to close day one in Brisbane on 325-9, an innings dominated by Joe Root (135no), who remained unbeaten at stumps after notching his first Test century in Australia.

Mitchell Starc again impressed for Australia, claiming 6-71 to take his series tally to a staggering 16 wickets already, but the other four seamers - Scott Boland (1-87), Neser (1-43), Brendan Doggett (0-76) and Cameron Green (0-43) - added only two wickets from their 55 overs combined.

"I was amazed they left out Nathan Lyon today," Michael Atherton said on SportNews Cricket's 'Ashes Daily' Podcast.

"He's got 562 [Test] wickets, and it's a pitch that everybody said looked much drier and less green than it had yesterday.

"It's a pitch where England thought, 'well, we need a spinner', and yet Australia are leaving Lyon out.

"I thought there were times when it looked just an okay Australian attack plus Mitchell Starc."

All times UK and Ireland

Tags:

cricket news id:13479373

Share this article

Related Posts

Harry Brook slams 'worst pitch I have ever played on' after England's win over Sri Lanka in second ODI at Colombo

Harry Brook slams 'worst pitch I have ever played on' after England's win over Sri Lanka in second ODI at Colombo

Arroyo pleased with January signingsAston Villa Women head coach Natalia Arroyo could hand two club WSL debuts to January arrivals Oriane Jean-Francoi...

IPL squads 2026: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone among England players signed

IPL squads 2026: Jos Buttler, Jofra Archer, Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone among England players signed

Here's how the Indian Premier League squads look for the 2026 season, with Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer among the 13 English players involved.Watch al...

South Africa dismissed for lowest-ever T20 total of 74 as India win series opener by 101 runs in Cuttack

South Africa dismissed for lowest-ever T20 total of 74 as India win series opener by 101 runs in Cuttack

South Africa were all out for their lowest-ever total in T20 cricket, scoring only 74 as India won the series opener by 101 runs on Tuesday.Hardik Pan...

James Anderson: Former England bowler to captain Lancashire in County Championship at age of 44 next season

James Anderson: Former England bowler to captain Lancashire in County Championship at age of 44 next season

Former England bowler Sir James Anderson has been named Lancashire's captain for next season's County Championship.The 43-year-old, England's all-time...

WBBL final: England trio shine as Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets to clinch maiden title

WBBL final: England trio shine as Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets to clinch maiden title

England trio Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Linsey Smith helped Hobart Hurricanes beat Perth Scorchers by eight wickets to clinch their first...

IPL auction 2026: Australia's Cameron Green becomes most expensive overseas player in tournament's history

IPL auction 2026: Australia's Cameron Green becomes most expensive overseas player in tournament's history

Australia all-rounder Cameron Green has become the most expensive overseas player in IPL history after being picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders for $2...