Nathan Lyon throws support behind Marnus Labuschagne, who is fighting for his Test career

Nathan Lyon believes a stint in English county cricket will help Marnus Labuschagne start scoring runs regularly again.

Spin king Nathan Lyon has called for the retention of Marnus Labuschagne in Australia’s Test team as pressure mounts on the Queensland batsman.

Labuschagne, who bats at No.3 for Australia, has averaged just 25.63 in Test matches in 2024 and 2025 and hasn’t made a Test century since July 2023.

It has led to speculation that he might lose his spot in Australia’s team for the Test Championship final against South Africa in June at Lord’s, particularly with the impending availability of Cameron Green.

However, Lyon tipped Labuschagne to make the most of an upcoming English county cricket stint with Glamorgan and carry that form into the Test decider, Australia’s subsequent tour of the West Indies and this summer’s Ashes series.

Marnus Labuschagne is under pressure to retain his Test spot. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“One thing I love about Marnus is how he competes,” Lyon said on Monday at the launch of Australia’s 2025-26 season international schedule.

“I’d back Marnus every day of the week. He loves it, he wants to get better and he’ll continue to try to get better.

“The good thing is now the break (after Queensland’s Sheffield Shield final loss to South Australia) for a little bit will probably be really good for him to freshen up, then he’ll get over to Glamorgan, have a hit, and hopefully he’ll score a heap of runs come the World Test Championship (final), the tour of the West Indies and the Ashes.”

Lyon also threw his support behind fellow spinner Matt Kuhnemann, who was reported – and subsequently cleared – for having a suspect bowling action after starring during Australia’s January-February tour of Sri Lanka.

“I was pretty heartbroken, in a sense,” Lyon said.

“I actually flew home with him and he was pretty gutted when he was talking to me about what he had to do. He was pretty nervous.

“For him to have his name cleared, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Lyon felt the report, and testing, of Kuhnemann should have been kept “behind closed doors”.

“I’m not sure what the actual process was with the match referees and the officials. It would’ve been nice if it was kept under wraps,” Lyon said.

“I’m happy it’s all cleared, and it’s all done.”

Nathan Lyon (right) is ‘proud’ of fellow spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. Picture Ishara S. Kodikara / AFP

Lyon has been recovering from hip injury that ruled him out of NSW’s final Sheffield Shield game of the season against Tasmania.

“I’d been medically ruled out. The plan was to play the Shield final if NSW were lucky enough to get in there, but that wasn’t the case,” he said.

“I’ve been doing a fair amount of rehab, pretty well five days a week. That’s the reason why I didn’t play the Shield game.

“I love playing cricket for NSW and state cricket. Any opportunity, I’ll play.”