Former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris has made a surprising statement about selecting veteran pacer Nathan Lyon for the upcoming 2025-26 Ashes series at home. Ryan Harris says Nathan Lyon could be left out of Australia's squad for the all-important match against England.
Nathan Lyon had a limited role in Australia's 3-1 win over India in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series. The bowler has bowled just 122.4 overs in five matches, taking nine wickets at an average of 36.89. Overall, Lyon took 539 wickets in 134 Tests at a decent bowling average of 30.4.
Whether we played four quicks and left Nathan Lyon-Ryan Harris
Speaking on 2GB's Wide World of Sports Radio, Ryan Harris pointed to Scott Bolland's impressive form, creating a selection headache for Australia next summer's Ashes. Harris spoke about the possibility of playing four fast bowlers by excluding Nathan Lyon in the playing XI.
“Scottie, as we know him, is the guy who comes in when someone is injured. “That's been his role in the past… but he's taken 21 wickets in 13 years, so that's definitely something the selectors will have to think about with Josh Hazlewood not there,” Harris told 2GB Radio's Wide World of Sports on Monday.
“Josh is a very good player and his record speaks for itself. It's definitely a question to ask and we will face very different circumstances in Sri Lanka. “There will be questions next summer and whether we will play four quick fours and leave it, dare I say it, maybe the GOAT (Nathan Lyon) ).
Scott Boland's impressive form is putting pressure on the Australian selectors
Scott Boland made a huge impact during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, making the most of Josh Hazlewood's injury absence. He is Australia's third highest run-getter in the recently concluded Test series. Boland took 21 wickets at an impressive bowling average of 13.19 from just three matches.
Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc are set to be automatic selections for the Test squad when fit, and the selectors now face a difficult decision regarding their third bowler. Despite Boland's form, selector George Bailey and his team are unlikely to completely drop Nathan Lyon later in the year.
Australia have a busy schedule ahead of the Ashes. They will conclude the WTC tournament with two Tests against Sri Lanka starting January 29 in Galle. They will compete in the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord's in June, followed by a Test tour of the West Indies later that month.
They will try to keep it as stable as possible – Ryan Harris
Ryan Harris has advised against making drastic changes to the Australian team. He stressed that the elected officials are likely trying to maintain stability, despite external pressures for change. Harris said the selectors made the right decisions and that the team's success proves the effectiveness of their choices.
I think they will try to keep the situation as stable as possible. There is no doubt that talks are taking place behind closed doors… but we cannot afford to lose three or four players at once. “Everyone is screaming that this has to happen, but in the Inner Sanctuary, there will be a plan in place.”
“There are two Tests in Sri Lanka, there is the World Test Championship and even a tour of the West Indies, so there will be a bit of cricket every now and then. They (selectors) have faced some criticism, but in the end they have come back and shown what the team can do. “Good decisions, even if it doesn't always look like it from the outside.”
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