After Head’s heroics, Cummins-Lyon propel Australia closer to 3-0 Ashes lead
Australia resumed the morning on 271 for 4, with Travis Head and Alex Carey continuing the work that had defined Day 3.
Australia resumed the morning on 271 for 4, with Travis Head and Alex Carey continuing the work that had defined Day 3.
After being left out of the XI for the second Test in Brisbane, Lyon had a point to prove in Adelaide, making an instant impact by removing Ollie Pope (3) to go level with McGrath on 563 wickets.
The decision means experienced opener Usman Khawaja remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from a back concern, while back-up batter Josh Inglis retains his place in the side and will bat at No. 7.
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.
Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon believes spin will play a key role in determining the outcome of this year’s Ashes series, and expressed his concerns over England’s depleted spin-bowling resources ahead of the much-anticipated contest, which begins on November 21 in Perth.
A total of 13 wickets fell on day one as Australia, led by Lyon's five-for, bowled Sri Lanka out for 212 in their first innings before reaching 98/3 at stumps and trailing by 114 runs.
Since 2017, Australia have not been able to win any of the three Border Gavaskar trophy series. Their most recent defeat came in the series that took place in 2020/2021, a 2-1 defeat by India in the land down under.
Stokes has not played cricket at any level since July of this year, first owing to a finger injury, then due to mental health issues, and has been left out of England's 17-man Ashes squad.
Lyon hasn't played cricket since April when he was left out of Australia's limited-overs tours of the West Indies and Bangladesh, and he's also not in the T20 World Cup squad, so he's used the time to work on some new variations that he'll debut against England.
Ashwin though ended as the top wicket-taker in the recent home series against England, picking 33 wickets and earning the player-of-the-series award.
