Australian cricket legend Shane Warne says Nathan Lyon will be under pressure to retain his Test spot if there’s a repeat of his struggles from last summer.
Lyon’s four Tests against India yielded just nine wickets at an average of 55.11, the third worst series of his career in terms of average, and the worst since his spot was last in jeopardy, against South Africa in 2016-17.
With 100 Test matches under his belt and 399 wickets, Lyon will be given more latitude than most when it comes to selection matters, but what can’t be overlooked is the extent of his struggles last summer.
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Warne told the Sydney Morning Herald that any repeat of that performance will likely bring an end to his career.
“If he’s doing really well and they’re dropping catches and he’s not having much luck, then he keeps playing,” he said.
“But if he bowls like he did last summer and bowls poorly, then you’ve got to make the change pretty quickly.”
Warne identified three possible replacements – all leg-spinners, Mitchell Swepson, Tanveer Sangha and Adam Zampa, although Swepson would appear to be the only one of the trio in line for a call-up in the short-term.
Zampa has enjoyed white-ball success for Australia but has a mediocre red-ball record, and hasn’t played a first class match in two years, while 20-year-old Sangha only made his debut for New South Wales this season.
“Three good wrist-spinners to take wickets at domestic level to put pressure on Nathan Lyon, it also gives an option to the selectors,” Warne said.
“If they ever wanted to play two spinners, they have got someone there. If they felt Nathan Lyon’s form doesn’t warrant selection and he bowls like he did last year then they’ll be looking to replace him.
“We’ve got three spinners there that could come in and make their debut for a Test match if Lyon’s form continues to slide. Let’s hope it doesn’t.”
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