In the third Test against the West Indies, captain Pat Cummins may leave out veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. The selection is influenced by Sabina Park conditions and the pink ball’s expected behaviour under lights.
Lyon, who missed three games in the 2023 Ashes due to a calf injury at Lord’s, has never missed a Test since the 2013 England series. His absence would change Australia’s strategy to an all-pace onslaught suited to the conditions.
Australia finished their final training session on Friday with Cummins, McDonald, and Dodemaide discussing on the pitch. following George Bailey returned to Australia following the second Test, Cummins is anticipated to confirm the playing XI on the eve of the match, as he has throughout the series.
I suppose anything’s possible. Really, we haven’t decided. All of us departed yesterday and decided to sleep on it, return, and decide today [Saturday]. There are further unknowns… I think mostly about the pink ball and trying to understand its purpose.
Cummins told ESPNcricinfo that the last session under lights may be lengthier than Adelaide.
Lyon’s recent form is solid despite uncertainties. Six in Grenada and nine wickets at 18.33 this series have brought his career record to 562, one wicket shy of Glenn McGrath as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker after Shane Warne. Lyon has 43 day-night Test wickets at 25.62, compared to 30.52 red-ball average.
Lyon has played little in recent pink-ball Tests. He bowled one over in the day-night Test against India in Adelaide last season and was not needed against England in Hobart in the 2021–22 Ashes. His role may be limited again by Sabina Park and the Dukes ball under lights.
The anticipated addition is Scott Boland, who has 12 wickets at 16.75 in three day-night Tests. Travis Head and Beau Webster, the fourth seamer throughout this series, provide off-spin as part-time options. If they find three frontline quicks and Webster to handle the bowling duty, the tourists may contemplate adding to their batting line-up.
This selection comes as Mitchell Starc prepares for his 100th Test match. He said he has a close relationship with NSW teammates Lyon, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood. Despite that togetherness, Cummins made it plain that any XI changes will benefit the team and did not expect any negative reactions from the group.
We’ve spent a lot of time together. Playing with a lot of extremely close friends and wonderful individuals on the staff and playing group has been special, Starc remarked.
“This is hypothetical. Cummins said everyone here has an excellent history of doing what the team needs and being excited for the players.
The grass wicket will spin: WI captain Chase
West Indies captain Roston Chase says one of the biggest selection choices before the third Test against Australia is whether to bring back specialist spinner Jomel Warrican, who was left out in Grenada.
I expect spin from the wicket. I guess the groundsman suggested he might shave off some grass. Not sure what the final surface will be, but it seems hard. The practice wickets appear identical, so the ball has been moving around. Chase called the wicket a solid cricket wicket.
India
