Ashes: ‘There is nothing against Nathan Lyon’ – Steve Smith on controversy over spinner’s exclusion | Cricket News – The Times of India
NEW DELHI: Australia’s stand-in captain Steve Smith sought to calm the controversy surrounding Nathan Lyon’s exclusion for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, stressing that the decision was made to strengthen the batting lineup and was not personal. Lyon had described his mood as “absolutely filthy” after being dropped for the first time in 13 years in a home Test. Australia’s chairman of selectors, George Bailey, termed it a “one-Test decision” and assured the 38-year-old spinner a spot for the third Test in Adelaide.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!“It could have gone a few different ways, and it’s certainly nothing against Nathan. He’s a freak,” Smith said post-match, as quoted by Fox Sports.
Australia secured an eight-wicket win over Ben Stokes’ England in Brisbane on Sunday, taking a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.“He’s (Lyon) 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.Contributions from Australia’s tail-enders, with pacers Michael Neser (16) and Brendan Doggett (13) supporting a strong 77 from Mitchell Starc, helped the home side post 511 in the first innings. Neser then claimed a five-wicket haul in the second innings, playing a crucial role in Australia’s dominant win.“(Neser) offers something different. We can bring the keeper up, he hits the stumps, he 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,” Smith said.Lyon ranks seventh on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers with 562 scalps, making him Australia’s second-most successful spinner after Shane Warne.Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne hinted that selectors may consider recalling Lyon to maintain team balance for the Adelaide Test starting December 17.“I’m not a selector, but what I will say is the same way they (selectors) looked at this game, they looked at the game objectively and said what was the best way for us to win this game (in Brisbane) with all the information we have on pink-ball cricket,” Labuschagne said, as quoted by ICC.“What plays, what favours it’s been (in past Tests). Is it pace or whatever that is or what type of bowler? And then they make the decision,” he added.Smith also praised Neser’s performance.“To see him him (Neser) take five wickets with an old ball…it was awesome. There was a moment earlier in the season where I was just like, ‘Man, I hope he (Neser) gets his chance’. I saw the writing on the wall there that there’s potential and for him to be able to come in and deliver,” said Labuschagne.Meanwhile, regular skipper Pat Cummins is expected to return for the Adelaide Test after an injury layoff, with the team monitoring the fitness of opener Usman Khawaja and pacer Josh Hazlewood ahead of the third Test.
