Steve Smith has explained why Nathan Lyon was surprisingly left out of Australia’s side for the second Test against England at the Gabba in Brisbane — a decision that marked the first time since 2012 that the veteran off-spinner was omitted from a home Test.
Despite possessing 562 wickets in red-ball cricket, selectors opted instead for the inclusion of Michael Neser as a fifth seam-bowling option, signalling a deliberate shift away from spin for this match. Lyon’s omission came as a shock and he later admitted feeling “absolutely filthy” about being dropped.
Smith was careful to note that the decision was not a reflection on Lyon’s skill or past achievements. “He’s 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.”
The goal was strategic balance: with a stronger lower order and a fifth fast-bowling option, the team aimed to better exploit conditions and maximize their chances of taking 20 wickets.
All-Pace Attack Comes Together — Big Payoff
The gamble paid off handsomely. With the pace-heavy lineup of Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett and Neser — supported by batting all-rounder Cam Green — Australia dismantled England. That quartet alone claimed 19 of the 20 wickets to fall, while the only wicket not accounted for by them came via a spectacular run-out by keeper‐batsman Josh Inglis.
Neser, in particular, stood out. After a quiet first innings, he wreaked havoc in England’s second innings, grabbing a maiden Test five-wicket haul — a performance that played a pivotal role in sealing Australia’s eight-wicket victory and handing them a 2–0 lead in the series.
Why the Risk Made Sense — Conditions & Balance
According to Smith, the decision hinged largely on conditions and match format. The second Test was a day-night affair under the pink ball — conditions under which seam bowling and the pressure from a strong lower order were expected to be more effective. “With no daylight savings here, you play at night a lot. We thought that’s going to be the best chance to take 20 wickets,” Smith said.
The team’s plan also accounted for batting depth: with Neser and other seamers offering extra batting firepower, Australia felt confident in their ability to accelerate if needed. Moreover, the agility and wicket-taking threat of a bowler like Neser, combined with tight keeping, forced England batters to take risks — a tactical nuance that the all-pace attack exploited well.
In retrospect, given the clinical result, the omission of Lyon appears vindicated. Still, this decision raises more questions heading into the third Test — most notably which players will make way when the injured frontline pacer Pat Cummins returns.
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