Nathan Lyon on the chopping block as Australia mull changes for pink-ball Test

Pat Cummins has taken the unusual step of delaying his announcement of the team that he will field for the pink-ball Test in Jamaica, and that could spell bad news for one veteran.

Australia has left the door ajar for the shock omission of Nathan Lyon as the tourists contemplate going in without their champion spinner on a grassy wicket for the pink-ball Test in Jamaica.

Unlike the first two Tests of the series in which captain Pat Cummins announced the Aussie XI on match eve, the skipper would not guarantee the composition of the Australian side for the third and final Test at Sabina Park, which begins on Sunday morning (AEST).

Other than the three Tests of the 2023 Ashes which he missed with an injured calf, Lyon has played every Test for Australia since returning to the side in mid-2013

The Sabina Park pitch two days out from the third Test pic.twitter.com/UUiVqUhaPy

— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) July 10, 2025

Lyon, 37, has however been surplus to needs in several day-night Tests. He bowled just one over in the win over India in Adelaide last year, and didn’t bowl at all against England at Hobart in early 2022.

The Kingston pitch had a much greener tinge than the two used so far in the series, while the pink Dukes ball has a reputation for havoc. The series has been dominated by bowling, in particular pace, and Lyon has been targeted by the Windies.

Should Lyon be dropped in a conditions-based call, the Aussies could bolster their batting with the addition of Josh Inglis, rendering Beau Webster as the fourth bowler, or play an extra quick in either Scott Boland or Sean Abbott.

Australia's Steve Smith, left, Alex Carey, centre, and Nathan Lyon walk off the field after West Indies' innings on day two of the second cricket Test.

Inglis, Boland and Abbott were all at the Aussies’ optional training session the day before the beginning of the Test.

“Mainly the pink ball, trying to still get our heads around exactly what it’s going to do,” Cummins said.

“We’ve had two sessions here again see how the pitch looks. You know, still 30 or 24 hours out. So yeah, really just trying to get our heads around and kind of have another day to think about it.”

Asked specifically about whether Lyon could be dropped, Cummins said: “I think everything’s an option. So yeah, we haven’t settled.”

Originally published as Nathan Lyon on the chopping block as Australia mull changes for pink-ball Test