Australia v India 3rd ODI: Justin Langer insists dumped Nathan Lyon will be part of World Cup squad

Turning to leg-spinner Adam Zampa for the final ODI against India on Friday doesn’t preclude Nathan Lyon from World Cup discussions, according to Aussie coach Justin Langer.

Nathan Lyon continues to struggle to assert himself in white-ball cricket.

Australia coach Justin Langer insists Nathan Lyon remains part of his World Cup plans after being dropped for the final ODI against India.

Lyon, who went wicketless in the first two games, was axed for the series-decider at the MCG which India won by seven wickets.

The hosts instead turned to leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who took 0-34 from 10 overs. An automatic selection in Australia’s Test side, offspinner Lyon has struggled to cement his place in the white-ball formats.

Nathan Lyon continues to struggle to assert himself in white-ball cricket.

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The 31-year-old had to endure two years in the ODI wilderness before being recalled during last year’s tour of England.

Langer said he expected both Lyon and Zampa to be part of the World Cup squad, describing Lyon as the best off-spinner in the world.

“The reason he didn’t play tonight is that we felt he had played two games on the philosophy of trying to take wickets in the middle overs,” Langer said.

“Lyono hadn’t taken any wickets, and also with the number of right-handers in the Indian side, we decided to go for Zamps to spin the ball away from the bat rather than into it.

“But Nathan Lyon, he’s a gun. He’s a world-class spinner, we know that. He’s a very, very good fielder. He’s one of our senior members of the team ... depending on the opposition, we’ll pick one of those two to play in the World Cup I reckon.”

India is just one example of a nation that has had success with two frontline spinners but Langer was non-committal about Australia following suit in the World Cup.

Adam Zampa got the nod at the MCG on Friday night.

“I think it’ll depend on the opposition,” he said.

“We play quite early in the season in England so I think it’ll depend very much on who we have (as) our four best bowlers ... whether they’re spin or fast bowlers.

“We don’t traditionally play two spinners in one-day cricket but it might come up in the World Cup. Certainly in India and the UAE, there’s a good chance that’ll happen.”

Originally published as Australia v India 3rd ODI: Justin Langer insists dumped Nathan Lyon will be part of World Cup squad