Lyon’s situation is noteworthy given he is no longer one of the first names on Australia’s teamsheet. He has been left out of the last two pink-ball day-night Tests Australia have played, and the selectors have been clear in stating that they were condition-based decisions. But Lyon has also only bowled eight overs across Australia’s last two red-ball Tests at home.
“I’ve played 140 Test matches, I feel like I don’t have a point to prove to anyone,” Lyon said. “I’m very clear on my role within this Australian cricket team. I love playing with everyone in that change room, and love representing Australia. So if I get that opportunity again, I’ll keep doing that. My dream is to continue to play cricket for Australia. And no one’s got a given right to be selected. You’ve got to work your backside off to make sure that you put your hand up for selection and you earn that right.”
Lyon returns to a ground that he has often stated is his favourite in world cricket. He also has an excellent record in Adelaide having taken 63 wickets at 25.36 with four five-wicket hauls. But the last of those came in 2019. It has been diminishing returns since then, mainly because he has hardly bowled.
He also has no idea how England will try and play him in Adelaide because he has only bowled two overs in the series, having not been required at Perth Stadium which is statistically his best home venue ahead of Adelaide Oval.
“I haven’t really had the opportunity to get my teeth into this Test series yet, but that opportunity will hopefully come soon,” Lyon said.
“I’m expecting [England’s batters] to take me on.”
Lyon has also had a significant milestone dangling just out of reach what must have felt like an eternity. When he took his 562nd Test wicket in Grenada in early July, passing Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 to move to second on Australia’s all-time list of Test wicket-takers appeared a formality. Three Tests and five months later he still hasn’t got there. But he’s hoping it can happen in Adelaide.
“I dare say, potentially, may be like a little fairytale I guess, when you look at it with my history here, with working here and dreaming of playing Test cricket,” Lyon said. “My first viewing of my first-ever Test match here was on the roller back in 2010 funnily enough against England. So for me to potentially overtake Glenn McGrath would be pretty incredible, but still a long way to go.”
