Cricket news: BBL potentially an unnecessary burden for Lyon in India preparations

Nathan Lyon’s return to the BBL has not gone to plan and it may be hampering his preparations for the biggest tour of his career, with reports he is dealing with a knee complaint.

The Big Bash is in danger of becoming an unnecessary burden for Nathan Lyon in the countdown to India.

A minor knee niggle on top of already having to battle for his place in the Sydney Sixers’ first-choice attack is not what Lyon needs a couple of weeks out from spearheading Australia’s all-important odyssey to the sub-continent.

Not when the summer’s leading wicket-taker could be sitting on a beach or at home with his feet up like fellow bowlers Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

It’s to Lyon’s credit that he signed up for the BBL, as he does every year, but out of the blue it’s become a much more complicated exercise than he would have thought.

The Sixers have refuted a News Corp report that they had told Lyon he wasn’t going to play last Sunday’s clash against the Perth Scorchers. They say no decisions had been made on the XI before ultimately calling him into the side, where he finished with figures of 0-28 from three overs in a huge win for Sydney.

Lyon’s return to the BBL has not gone to plan. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Lyon was then withdrawn from Tuesday night’s match against Adelaide in Coffs Harbour after reporting a minor knee niggle to Sixers and CA doctor, John Orchard.

The Sixers aren’t sure if the slight knee complaint – which doesn’t require a scan – will keep Lyon out of this Saturday’s blockbuster Sydney derby against David Warner’s Thunder.

“I don’t know that. We played last night. And obviously it was brought to my attention yesterday. I’m sure there’s going to be some time for him to assess that himself along with the medical team and we’ll just go with the flow,” Sixers coach Greg Shipperd said about Lyon’s prospects for the Sydney Smash.

But even if fit, it’s not guaranteed Lyon will be picked.

In his absence against the Strikers, the Sixers’ other well-performing off-spinner Todd Murphy took three key wickets to take Sydney to the top of the Big Bash ladder.

“I don’t want to speculate on any selection issues other than to say our team, we’ve got a fantastic squad,” Sixers coach Greg Shipperd said.

“And selection is always a massive headache for our leadership group.”

On top of the Murphy v Lyon dilemma, the Sixers might look to get leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed a game in their upcoming matches, because they may need him when the Big Bash final rolls around and both Lyon and Murphy will already be in India with Australia.

Todd Murphy has continued his impressive form with the Sixers. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Yes there’s going to be three key members of our side (Lyon, Murphy, Steve Smith) not going to be there if we are good enough to play in a grand final or a preliminary final,” Shipperd said.

“We’re considering actively about our next couple of games, around those players that haven’t been playing.”

The Sixers are entitled to pick their team however they want, and the arguments for Murphy (who has played a key role in the club’s hot start to the season) and Naveed (who will be there for the business end) are valid.

But from Lyon’s point of view, as an all-time Test great, it’s debatable whether it’s helping his preparations for India to be travelling around half thinking about a sore knee and half thinking about whether or not he’s going to get picked in a Big Bash side.

It’s a different Big Bash experience for Warner, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne who have waltzed straight into their respective Big Bash teams and aren’t dealing with the load of having bowled 200 Test match overs during the summer.

BIZARRE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS AS SIXERS BACKFLIP ON LYON

Nathan Lyon has been told he is now playing in tonight’s Big Bash blockbuster, following an 11th hour backflip from the Sydney Sixers.

In a bizarre sequence of events, Lyon was told he was not playing against the Perth Scorchers at the SCG on Sunday night. But this morning there was a change of heart among Sixers hierarchy and he is now set to suit up for the Sixers in the top of the table clash.

Cricket Australia have led a push to get as many Australian internationals as possible into the second half of the Big Bash, yet the Sixers were on the verge of leaving Lyon out for the top of the table clash.

Sixers sources said no decision would be made until the toss, but News Corp understands that the club have done a complete 180 on Lyon’s selection.

The Sixers did not receive any heat about the controversial decision to omit Lyon from CA, but may have been spooked about the potential backlash that might have come from Big Bash bosses and broadcasters from leaving out an Australian superstar.

Or perhaps there was a realisation they couldn’t leave out one of the game’s greatest ever spinners, who averages 21 with the ball in T20 cricket and dedicates himself to the NSW and Sixers domestic scene more than any other Australian player.

Nathan Lyon is set to play after a backflip by the Sixers. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Fans had been anticipating the blockbuster returns of Steve Smith and Lyon to the Sixers XI, and that will now happen with the two Test greats ready to make their BBL comebacks.

The Sixers are currently second on the Big Bash ladder with six wins and three losses, and twin spinners Murphy and O’Keefe have been playing a key part in their success through the first half of the competition, while they also have leg-spinner Izharulhaq Naveed.

It was understandable from a cricketing point of view that the Sixers coaches might not want to drop performing players from a winning line-up.

The Sixers’ history of success has been built on making cricketing selection and recruitment decisions.

What is bizarre is the late change of heart.

Had Lyon been left out it would have been unlikely to please Cricket Australia bosses and broadcasters’ Fox and Channel 7 who have been spruiking the return of Test stars to the competition.

Lyon has been a key part of the Sixers dynasty over recent years and is one of the most popular players with kids in the game.

Lyon has been a loyal servant of the Sixers over many years, consistently making himself available when his Test duties are completed.

CA and the clubs (Sixers included) have put a lot of effort into getting Smith and David

Warner back into the league this season, in the hope it might lay a platform for more Test stars to involve themselves in future summers.

Todd Murphy has been in strong form. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Test stars like Lyon, Travis Head, Alex Carey, Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja have not been offered the same incentives but are all suiting up for this season.

Smith almost turned is back on the BBL this year after being snubbed by Cricket Australia last season, and there might have been fears about what message leaving out Lyon might give for Test players wondering whether they should back up for their clubs instead of taking holidays.

There is a hope CA and the Australian Cricketers Association will be able to write it into the contracts of Australian players that they must play in the BBL unless unavailable through injury or resting when the next MOU is signed off.

Left-arm O’Keefe has been one of the most successful bowlers in BBL history and is expected to play tonight alongside Lyon. It’s possible the Sixers could also play a third spinner.

Can off-spinning differences create ideal India combo?

Selection boss George Bailey has denied Todd Murphy is being thrown to the wolves in India and would have no reservations handing him a stunning Test debut next month.

Murphy has played just seven first-class matches but at 22 years of age has been hand-picked to potentially go head-to-head with Indian superstar Virat Kohli – as Bailey declared ‘this is no development tour.’

Bailey admits there is a question mark over how off-spinner Murphy can fit into an attack already featuring fellow offie Nathan Lyon, but made it clear the Victorian is firmly in the frame to earn the ultimate baptism of fire in India.

“I’m always pretty interested in that whole narrative around (what is a) good and a bad time to debut someone,” Bailey said.

“I’m sure if you asked the player, ‘we’re thinking about playing you, mate, but we’re just going to hold off until we think we can find an easy game.’

Victorian off-spinner Todd Murphy will face a baptism of fire in India. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

“I’m not sure they’d be that keen on that. We don’t pick someone unless we think they’re ready to perform if they get an opportunity.

“I’m really excited for Todd. We’ve had him on an Australia A tour. He’s played a Prime Minister’s XI game at the start of the summer and just watching him really closely for Victoria, he’s a great kid.

“ … Absolutely he’s a chance to play. This is certainly not a development tour. He’s earned his spot through his performances and what we think he can do.”

Murphy has the added benefit of getting the best insight he possibly could going into the biggest moment of his cricketing life, given he can work hand-in-hand with Lyon and Australia’s 2017 Indian success story Steve O’Keefe over the next three weeks in the Big Bash League.

Indian star Virat Kohli will be a formidable challenge on his home deck. Picture: Geoff Caddick/AFP

Lyon and Steve Smith return for the Sixers this Sunday at the SCG, while O’Keefe could also be invaluable for Murphy to impart what his mindset was when he took 12 wickets on a raging turner in Pune six years ago.

“To be able to start having those conversations now about what I might be in for over there is going to be really good to set me up over there,” Murphy said on Wednesday.

“I found out yesterday morning. George Bailey gave me a call. It was really thrilling to see his name pop up. Some good news for me which is awesome.

“He said it’s going to be an awesome opportunity to go over there and try and learn about what cricket is in the subcontinent. He was mainly congratulating me and telling me to enjoy the moment.

“It took a while for it to sink in. I called mum and dad straight away and shared the news with them and they were rapt for me. It took a couple of hours for me to realise what’s about to happen. It’s sunk in now and it’s really exciting.

Australia has indicated left-armer Ashton Agar is its second choice spinner after Lyon.

Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson is also on the tour, but like Murphy, may need a situation where Australia plays three spinners to get a game – something which is a realistic possibility particularly in the first Test in Nagpur.

Nathan Lyon is the clear first choice spinner for Australia. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Bailey said Lyon and Murphy are not the same bowler despite both being offies – and the same goes for part-timer Travis Head, who also brings variations on the same skill.

“Whether he (Murphy) can play alongside Gaz (Lyon) is a question,” Bailey said.

“But they are different as far as off-spinners go. I don’t think you’re necessarily looking at the same type of bowler.

“We’ll get across and assess the conditions and what we think we need once we hit the ground.”

Victorian opener Marcus Harris toured around with Australia for the whole summer as the back-up batsman only to be axed for the Indian tour.

Bailey said Harris is seen more as an Australian and English conditions specialist, and the run-making skills of Matt Renshaw and Peter Handscomb were preferred for India.

After being leapfrogged by Renshaw for the vacant spot at No. 6 for the Sydney Test, Harris has told selectors he wants a chance to prove he can bat in the middle-order as well to increase his chances of being picked in the future.

AUSTRALIA SQUAD: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Swepson, Todd Murphy, Lance Morris

Originally published as Cricket news: BBL potentially an unnecessary burden for Lyon in India preparations