Overview:
Lyon picked up a major right-hamstring tear after a full-stretch dive to stop a boundary on the final day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Australia’s Ashes plans have been disrupted with Nathan Lyon set to be out of action after surgery on a hamstring injury. The experienced off-spinner remains confident of making another comeback. The injury has prompted immediate recalibration for the fourth Test and has accelerated the succession talk in the spin department.
Lyon picked up a major right-hamstring tear after a full-stretch dive to stop a boundary on the final day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide. The damage has ended his series, with Australia confirming he went under the surgery earlier this week. Coach Andrew McDonald said Lyon was “pretty shattered” but added it was premature to start talking about his Test future.
“He’s pretty shattered. He’s a massive part of how we operate. The rehab window is long, and with an injury like that it’s tough to get back to the level he was at. But the key point is he still wants to come back and do it,” McDonald told cricket.com.au.
It’s the veteran’s second big injury in the last two years, having also been sidelined by a calf strain during the 2023 Ashes at Lord’s. Doctors have projected a minimum three-to-four-month absence this time. McDonald indicated Lyon is still in Australia’s plans, with a packed stretch of Test cricket.
Interestingly, Australia’s next red-ball assignment isn’t until mid-2026, when they welcome Bangladesh at home. That will kick off a busy season featuring tours to New Zealand and South Africa, a five-Test showdown in India in early 2027, and the landmark 150th anniversary Test against England.
“India is coming up and he’ll be an important part of those plans. We’ve got New Zealand and South Africa before that. The focus now is getting through the rehab, and then we’ll look ahead,” he added.
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