WI vs AUS | Lyon expresses disappointment on not being part of Starc’s 100th Test

‌Australian legendary spinner Nathan Lyon had expressed his disappointment at missing out on the final Test match against the West Indies in Jamaica. The world-class off-spinner was left out of the playing XI in place of Scott Boland ahead of the Pink Ball Test at Sabina Park in Kingston, which went on to result in a historic win for the Baggy Greens. It was the first time Lyon had been available but not picked since 2013 when he became a regular part of the Aussie XI.

Despite the absence of Lyon, the Aussies still dominated the Windies, winning by a massive margin of 176 runs to ensure a 3-0 clean sweep against the hosts. Boland went on to take six wickets in the game, including a hattrick in the second innings, and Mitchell Starc achieved his best Test figures of 6/9 in his 100th game to bowl the Caribbean team out for 27, the second-lowest score in Test history.

“There's no point hiding behind it. I was disappointed with the decision, but I totally understood it. Disappointed on a number of levels that: One, I believe I can play a role in any conditions, and I still honestly believe that. And then, honestly, the other one was not to walk out on the field with Starcy. I've played 90-odd Test matches with Starcy, so to be able to walk out there with him in his 100th would have been amazing. But I was still there, running the drinks, and still part of it,” Lyon said during an appearance with a corporate partner of his BBL club Melbourne Renegades.

“I want to play every game for Australia, and I've just got that belief that I can play a role in any conditions, as every cricketer should have that belief. But at the end of the day, we can sit here and say hats off to them, they made the right call. And if I'm going to miss a game, Scott Boland is probably the guy you want to see go out there and perform. And for him to go out there and bowl like he did, like we always know he does, to take a hat-trick, was pretty special. And to witness the guys bowl them out for 27, that was pretty amazing,” Lyon added.

Australia will next be seen playing a home series against South Africa, which will feature three T20Is and ODIs each. As for red-ball specialist Lyon, a home Ashes in the summer beckons next, preceded by four rounds of the Sheffield Shield.