Ashes 2025: Lyon says he has ‘nothing to prove’ ahead of likely return at Adelaide

Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon has made it clear that he has “nothing to prove” as he prepares for a likely return to the playing XI in the third Ashes Test against England at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday.

Despite featuring in 140 Tests for Australia, Lyon has been left out of the XI twice in the last three matches, a rare situation for the experienced campaigner. However, with hot weather and a dry surface expected in Adelaide, conditions traditionally favourable for spin, Lyon is tipped to return as Australia chase an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series. The match will also see Pat Cummins resume captaincy duties.

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Reflecting on his recent omission, Lyon admitted the disappointment but underlined his clarity about his role within the team. “Obviously, it was pretty disappointing personally. I’ve played 140 Test matches. I feel like I don’t have a point to prove to anyone. I’m very clear on my role within this Australian cricket team. I love playing with everyone in that change room and love playing representing Australia.

“If I get that opportunity again, I’ll keep doing that. My dream is to continue to play cricket for Australia. 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 told reporters on Monday.

The day also carried special significance for Lyon off the field, as he was formally inducted into the Adelaide Oval’s ‘Avenue of Honour’ on the western side of the stadium, a poignant moment at a venue where he once worked as part of the ground staff early in his career.

Lyon also used the occasion to reiterate his long-held belief in the importance of spin bowling to the fabric of Australian cricket across all formats.

“Well, you’re asking a spinner. I think it’s incredibly important. I think the variation in Test cricket, understanding that Test cricket goes for five days, and there’s a lot of opportunity for pitches to wear and spinners to be able to produce their craft. I’ve always said as soon as the ball spins there’s more eyes on TVs, and I stand by that.

“You look at when we go over to India, and you look at the conditions there, and the exciting cricket when the ball is spinning, how many people pay attention to it. So for me, spin is incredibly important in the game of cricket, in junior cricket, in first-class cricket, in white-ball, red-ball, it doesn’t matter what format, what game of cricket, I think spin plays a massive role here,” he added.

Lyon is also on the brink of a major personal milestone, needing just one more wicket to surpass fast-bowling great Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 Test wickets. He has remained on 562 since July 6, when he claimed the final wicket in the second Test against the West Indies in Grenada.

“I daresay it might be a little fairytale, given my history working here. It was a dream. My first Test match was on the roller here in 2010-11. To overtake Glenn McGrath would be pretty incredible,” he concluded.