Cricket reacts to Australia's ‘unprecedented' axing for West Indies Test
Australia is 1/50 after the first session of play in Jamaica after losing opener Sam Konstas early.
Seeking a clean sweep of the three-match series, Aussie captain Pat Cummins confirmed after winning the toss and electing to bat that Lyon had been dropped for seamer Scott Boland for this pink ball Test at Sabina Park in Kingston.
This is the first time in 12 years that Lyon has been dropped from an Australian Test side. He missed three Tests of the 2023 Ashes series in England due to a calf injury.
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One of the established members of the tourists' bowling attack, Mitchell Starc, is playing his 100th Test and is five away from reaching 400 Test wickets.
Former West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, who played his 100th Test in Grenada last week, has been dropped with Mikyle Louis taking his place at the top of the order alongside John Campbell.
Kevlon Anderson gets a Test debut in place of batsman Keacy Carty, while left-arm spinner and vice-captain Jomel Warrican returns to the team at the expense of seamer Anderson Phillip.
It was Lyon's axing that had the cricket world talking on Sunday morning.
It was the first time since 2013 Lyon was overlooked when available and healthy.
Leading cricket reporter Bharat Sundaresan called it 'unprecedented'.
'Really does feel odd to be here with Nathan Lyon walking around the ground & not warming up in the lead-up to a Test,' he posted on X.
'Unprecedented call from the Aussie selectors to leave him out for a fourth fast bowler.'
Cricket commentator Adam Collins wrote: 'First time this has happened to Lyon (specifically, missing out to find room for an extra quick) since Perth in Jan 2012'.
Cummins defended the decision after winning the toss.
'Pink ball, so it's a little bit different to a normal Test,' Cummins said.
Since the start of 2020, pace bowlers have averaged 19.66 at the Jamaican venue compared to 36.36 for spinners.
Australia's fragile top order exposed again
Australia is 1/50 at the tea break after losing opener Sam Konstas early.
Konstas was dismissed for 17 from 53 balls after earlier being given two lifelines.
Justin Greaves made an immediate impact coming into the attack and trapped Konstas plum LBW.
To compound the blow, Konstas also blew a review.
It has been a nightmare tour for Konstas' whose position in the team must be on life support.
His scores of the tour have been 60, 8, 23, 22, 3, 5, 25, 0.
Konstas found himself in trouble as he came forward to defend a delivery that cut back towards his body.
The DRS ans ball tracking showed the ball was going to hit Konstas' leg stump.
Starc given high praise before 100th Test
Pakistan fast bowling legend Wasim Akram hailed Australia's Mitchell Starc as a 'modern-day great' for reaching 100 Test appearances.
Starc, who draws comparisons with fellow left-arm quick Akram, reached the milestone on Sunday morning.
'It is a big deal in this day and age to reach 100 Tests, congratulations to Starc,' Akram told AFP.
'That shows the quality and resolve of the man.' The 35-year-old becomes the 83rd player and 16th Australian to play 100 Tests, and only the second Australian fast bowler after Glenn McGrath.
'To play 100 Tests shows how consistent Starc has been and also shows where his priorities lie — that is to play red-ball cricket,' said Akram.
'He has also played Twenty20 and league cricket but his career in Test cricket is way ahead and to me he is a modern-day great.'
Starc stands on 395 Test wickets, so has the tantalising prospect of taking his landmark 400th wicket during his 100th Test. His strike rate is remarkably similar to Akram, who retired in 2002 after taking 414 wickets in 104 Tests.
Both players, said Akram, had suffered injuries to 'every joint, every part of the body' during their careers.
'People often compare us but we have played in different eras,' said Akram.
'He's got the pace, he's got the swing and he's bowling very intelligently to the new batsman, especially with the new ball.'
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