Lyon 'absolutely filthy' after being left out of consecutive pink-ball Tests

When Nathan Lyon was left out in Jamaica earlier this year for the day-night Test against West Indies, Tony Dodemaide, the selector on tour, termed it "exceptional circumstances" and a "one-off". Three Tests later it has happened again with Lyon left "absolutely filthy" at being benched at the Gabba with Australia fielding an all-pace attack for the day-night encounter.

Lyon missing out for this Test was a notion trailed since the opening match finished; a combination of his lack of overs in that game against England's freewheeling batters, and the fact he only bowled one over in last season's day-night against India in Adelaide. Still, as the Test neared, it felt as though his overall day-night record - 43 wickets at 25.62 - and concerns that the ball can go soft at this ground would work in his favour.

Lyon found out about 30 minutes after arriving at the ground, following a final huddle by the pitch involving Steven Smith, Andrew McDonald and George Bailey.

"Absolutely filthy," he said on Channel 7 of his reaction when told by chair of selectors Bailey. "But yeah, can't do anything about it. So, yeah, 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."

"To be honest I haven't really sat down with Ronnie [Andrew McDonald] or George yet. I'm letting things settle down in my own head and trying to make sure that I'm, as I said, doing whatever I can to make sure the guys out in the middle representing Australia do the right thing and get the right result for us."

"The communication is always there, I just hadn't had it in me to sit down with the coach and George at the moment," he added. "So that will happen. I'm not the first player to miss a Test match and I won't be the last. But, yeah, obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially a venue like this."

Bailey termed it a "one Test decision", although it's now happened twice in quick succession. "Nath will disagree with the decision, and that's perfectly okay," Bailey said. "I think he disagreed with the decision in Jamaica, and that's perfectly okay. I have no qualms about players feeling like they can impact the game and the fact of the matter is he could have. So we could have picked a different squad...that could have been Beau Webster, that could have been Nathan Lyon, but that's the path we go. Allow the disappointment and then build up a preparation for Adelaide.

"Very much it's a one Test decision, Nath will play in Adelaide," he added. "It's just how you think you're going to structure up the resources and how it's going to be used, when it gets dark here, when you think you're going to be using seam bowlers, how many overs get bowled in a day, when you think new ball will be available and that sort of stuff."

It was just the second home Test Lyon has missed since his debut - a run of 69 matches before today - with the other being against India at the WACA in 2012 when Australia fielded an all-pace attack.

It meant that Michael Neser played his third Test, all them having been day-night games. He previously played two in Adelaide: against England in the 2021-22 Ashes and West Indies a season later.

"This is Michael Neser's home ground and he knows the conditions really, really well," Ricky Ponting said on Channel Seven. "But for someone like Nathan Lyon who is such a seasoned professional with a good record at the Gabba, I think it's a massive call for the Aussies to make."

What does this all mean for Lyon? In the aftermath of not playing at Sabina Park he said he ultimately understood the decision but was still disappointed, believing he can be successful in all conditions.

"I believe I can play a role in any conditions, and I still honestly believe that," he said after that series. "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."

In Jamaica, conditions with the pink Dukes ball were on the extreme end; the match ended before the first interval on the third day with West Indies skittled for 27. Whether it plays out a similar way in Brisbane, time will tell.

Overall, there has been a diminishing role for spinners in Australia as the surfaces offer increasing assistance to the quicks. Lyon's tally of 122.4 overs against India last season was the lowest amount he had sent down in a home summer.

"I know how important spin bowling is, but there is a degree of me that's concerned about spin bowling around the world, not just Australia, with the wickets we're playing on," Lyon said earlier this year.

"If you look at spin bowling and your younger spin bowlers around the country, they're not getting the overs or the opportunities to bowl on day-three, day-four wickets, or spinning wickets, or even green seamers because the fast bowlers are dominating."

Lyon will be back for the next Test in Adelaide, a day game, followed by the contests at the MCG and SCG. But it is now unarguable, that when Australia play day-night Tests, even at home, Lyon can no longer be assured of a place in the XI. And that is quite a shift.