Nathan Lyon Opens Up on Jamaica Test Omission: ‘Disappointed on a Number of Levels’

Veteran Australian spinner Nathan Lyon has expressed his disappointment at being left out of the final Test of the West Indies tour, describing it as a tough decision to accept, though ultimately the right one in hindsight.

Lyon was omitted from the third Test at Sabina Park in Jamaica — a pink-ball fixture where Australia opted for a four-man pace attack due to the expected seam-friendly conditions. It marked the first time since 2013 that Lyon was dropped from Australia’s Test XI for reasons other than injury.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the exclusion, Lyon addressed the decision during a corporate appearance in Melbourne for the Melbourne Renegades, his BBL club.

“There's no point hiding behind it, I was disappointed with the decision, but I totally understood it,” Lyon said. “Disappointed on a number of levels — I believe I can play a role in any conditions, and honestly, the other one was not being able to walk out on the field with Starcy [Mitchell Starc] in his 100th Test. I've played 90-odd Tests with him — to miss that one hurt.”

Despite his disappointment, Lyon said he fully backed the selectors’ call and praised Scott Boland, who replaced him and made an immediate impact by claiming a hat-trick in West Indies' historic collapse for just 27 runs.

“If I’m going to miss a game, Scott Boland is probably the guy you want to see go out there and perform. For him to take a hat-trick and help bowl them out for 27 — that was pretty amazing.”

Lyon's omission was partly influenced by his limited role in previous pink-ball Tests. He didn’t bowl at all in the 2022 pink-ball Ashes Test in Hobart and bowled just one over in the 2024 Adelaide pink-ball Test against India.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old remains confident of his place in the squad ahead of the home Ashes series later this year and expects to play all five Tests, especially given his strong record at key venues like Optus Stadium in Perth, the Gabba, and Adelaide Oval.

“I'm definitely not thinking about my place in the team. I know my role in the side. The conditions were the only reason I missed that Test match. I'm fully focused on fitness, skill, and getting ready for the Shield games and then the Perth Test. I love bowling all around Australia.”

Support for Konstas and Labuschagne

Lyon also came to the defence of 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas, who endured a tough debut series in the Caribbean.

“I think it's been a massive learning curve for Sam. He’s young and still learning his game. We’ve all been through those periods. It's our job as senior players to support him.”

He believes Konstas is likely to tour India with the Australia A squad before returning for domestic duties with New South Wales.

Lyon was also upbeat about Marnus Labuschagne’s future, despite the batter being dropped during the Caribbean tour.

“Marn’s upbeat, and so he should be. His record speaks volumes. The amount of work he puts in is incredible. I'm expecting bigger and better things from him.”

Looking Ahead

Lyon will complete a two-month pre-season with New South Wales and expects to feature in at least three Sheffield Shield games before the Ashes begin. Cricket Australia will manage his workload in collaboration with NSW selectors.

He is also hopeful of finally making his long-awaited BBL debut for the Renegades this summer after two seasons on the sidelines. With four post-Ashes fixtures scheduled for the Renegades — including a match at Adelaide Oval — Lyon is eager for the chance to bowl against his former teammates.

“We’ve already spoken about that — it’ll be good fun if I get to bowl to Trav [Travis Head] or Kez [Alex Carey]. But that’s all ahead. I’ve got a massive summer to focus on first.”

Lyon remains a crucial figure in Australian cricket’s plans for the 2025–26 season, and while his omission in Jamaica may have sparked debate, his eyes are firmly set on contributing in home conditions where his impact has long been proven.