Veteran Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon's participation in the ongoing Ashes series has been abruptly ended, following surgery on a torn hamstring. The 38-year-old suffered the significant injury during the third Test at the Adelaide Oval.
A Poignant Family Moment Amid Setback
Lyon's wife, Emma, offered a glimpse into the personal side of the cricketer's setback, posting an intimate photo on Instagram. The image showed Lyon embracing the couple's young daughter in his hospital bed, with the caption 'My world. Playing doctors with Daddy.' The couple, married for over three years, have kept their daughter's identity private.
The injury occurred last Sunday in Adelaide, forcing Lyon, who recently moved to outright second on Australia's all-time Test wicket-takers list, to leave the field on crutches. Australia's coach, Andrew McDonald, confirmed the spinner is 'pretty shattered' by the diagnosis and the lengthy rehabilitation that now lies ahead.
Long Road to Recovery and Squad Reshuffle
McDonald admitted Lyon is 'facing a long road back to Test level' and a 'long-ish recovery' timeframe. The silver lining is that Australia's next Test assignment after this summer is not scheduled until August, a two-match series against Bangladesh in the Top End, which provides a clear target for his return.
In his absence, Todd Murphy has been called into the 15-man squad as a direct replacement. The 25-year-old Victorian off-spinner, who has played all seven of his Tests overseas, is now in line to make his home Test debut. Murphy famously took seven wickets on debut in India in 2023 and last played for Australia in Sri Lanka in January.
Despite the surgery, Lyon's commitment remains strong. 'He still wants to do it, and that's the main thing,' McDonald stated, praising Lyon's form in Adelaide as some of the best he'd seen recently.
Broader Team News and Future Challenges
Lyon will join the squad in Melbourne to support them for the Boxing Day Test after his hospital discharge. Meanwhile, other selection decisions loom for the Australian camp.
As expected, captain Pat Cummins will sit out the remainder of the Ashes to manage a serious back injury. Steve Smith, who missed the third Test due to a vertigo episode, is expected to be fit and will captain the side again in Cummins's absence.
The selection puzzle involves replacing Cummins in the bowling attack, with recalled quick Jhye Richardson contending for his first Test in over four years after an injury-plagued period. He will battle Brendan Doggett and Michael Neser for the spot. A batting berth must also be found for Smith, with Usman Khawaja and Josh Inglis likely competing for one position.
Looking further ahead, Australia's Test schedule intensifies after a quiet 2026, with a major tour of India in early 2027 followed by a home 150th anniversary Test against England and another away Ashes series.
