Australia’s stand-in captain, Steve Smith, sought to quell the controversy surrounding Nathan Lyon’s exclusion from the second Ashes Test in Brisbane. Smith explained that the decision was made to bolster
the pace-bowling department and was not personal against the veteran spin bowler.
Lyon expressed his frustration as being “absolutely filthy” after being dropped by Australia for the first time in 13 years in a home Test. George Bailey, Australia’s chairman of selectors, described the exclusion as a “one-Test decision” and assured the 38-year-old spinner a spot in the XI for the third Test in Adelaide.
“It could have gone a few different ways, and it’s certainly nothing against Nathan. He’s a freak,” Smith was quoted by Fox Sports after the match.
Australia triumphed over the Ben Stokes-led England by eight wickets in the Brisbane Test on Sunday, securing a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
“He’s been our spinner for such a long time, but the extra batting and the way the tail hung in for 50 overs gave us the balance we were after,” Smith added.
Australian tail-enders, pacers Michael Neser (16) and Brendan Doggett (13), made valuable contributions, while pacer Mitchell Starc scored 77, helping the home side amass a substantial 511 runs at the tail end of the first innings.
Neser took five wickets in the second innings, playing a crucial role in Australia’s commanding victory.
“(Neser) offers something different. We can bring the keeper up, he hits the stumps, keeps things tight, and forces batters to take risks when the ball isn’t as quick or is skidding. But it’s nothing against Nathan. He’s unbelievable and he’s done it for so long.”
Lyon ranks seventh on the all-time list of wicket-takers with 562 Test scalps and is the second most successful Australian spin bowler after the legendary Shane Warne in Test cricket.
(With PTI Inputs)
