Australia is still wrestling with its lineup for the final Test against the West Indies, and captain Pat Cummins has even floated the idea of dropping Nathan Lyon to bring in another fast bowler.
Lyon has been an anchor in the Australian side for over a decade, only missing a handful of games last year for the Ashes after a calf injury. To leave him out now would be a major shake-up.
“I think everything’s an option,” Cummins told reporters. “We honestly haven’t settled on it. We all left yesterday and thought we’d just sleep on it, come back and have a look and make up our mind today.”
Pink Ball Variables Drive Late Deliberations
Australia’s uncertainty is rooted in the unknowns of playing a day-night Test overseas.
“[There are] a few more unknowns,” Cummins said. “Mainly the pink ball and trying to get our heads around exactly what it’s going to do.”
This will be Australia’s first day-night Test away from home. In contrast to Lyon’s strong overall record of 562 wickets, including nine in this series at an average of 18.33, his impact in previous pink-ball matches has varied.
The irony is, day-night Tests are where he’s often been at his best, with 43 wickets at a tidy average of 25.62. But you wouldn’t know it from how he’s been used lately. Against India in Adelaide, he was tossed the ball for just one over. In the Hobart Ashes Test a year later, he didn’t bowl a single delivery.
Alternatives in Place if Lyon Sits Out
If Australia chooses to go without Lyon, Scott Boland is the likely replacement. Boland has taken 12 wickets at 16.75 in just three pink-ball Tests.
Beau Webster, who has filled in as the fourth seamer in this series, could offer some offspin alongside Travis Head if spin becomes necessary.
There’s also a chance Australia may lengthen their batting lineup, relying on three frontline quicks and Webster to handle the bowling duties.
Despite the uncertainty, Cummins downplayed any concerns over disrupting team dynamics. “I think everyone here has a pretty good track record of doing whatever the team needs and being really excited for the guys that play.”
Milestone Match for Starc Amid Team Reshuffle
This match will also be a celebration, as Mitchell Starc prepares to earn his 100th Test cap. His achievement is a testament to the remarkable era of this Australian bowling unit, with he, Lyon, Cummins, and Hazlewood all sharing roots in New South Wales.
“We’ve spent a lot of time together,” Starc said. “So to play with a lot of really close mates, to play with a lot of really good people around the staff and the playing group has been really special.”
West Indies Eye Spin Option Too
Meanwhile, West Indies captain Roston Chase said his side is also considering a change. They may bring back left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, who was dropped for the previous match in Grenada.
“I think the wicket will offer some spin as well,” Chase said. “It has a bit of grass on it, but I think the groundsman said he might shave off a bit. So still yet to see what the final surface will look like.”
Practice conditions suggest some movement off the pitch, but much depends on how the surface is prepared before the first ball is bowled.
For now, both teams are keeping their final elevens close to the chest, letting the conditions dictate the decisions.
