Why is Nathan Lyon Not Playing Today in AUS vs ENG 2nd Test?⁩

The 2nd Test match between Australia and England in the Ashes 2025 started on December 4, at the Gabba, Brisbane. The Pink Ball Test match is a game which was highly anticipated by many Australian fans. If we look at the previous games, Australia have always dominated England in the Pink Ball Tests.

The hosts have taken a bold decision of playing with an all pace attack in the playing XI. This has led to their star spinner Nathan Lyon's exclusion from the team. There was hardly any contribution of the spinner in the previous Test match as well. In general, Nathan Lyon is a GOAT of cricket and has been Australia's premier spinner in Tests.

Why Was Nathan Lyon Dropped from AUS vs ENG 2nd Test?

Australia's prime spinner Nathan Lyon has been dropped from the playing XI and Michael Neser has replaced him. In First-class cricket, Neser has played in 116 matches and taken 413 wickets. Moreover, he has also made his debut for Australia long back but couldn't cement his place in the team.

Meanwhile, this is only the second time Lyon has missed a home Test since 2011. However, the conditions were in favor of the pacers and Australia went with four fast bowlers. In Pink-ball Test matches, the ball usually moves around more than the red ball. As a result, the role of a spinner decreases. Lyon has a record of 43 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 25.62. Despite having a good record in pink-ball Tests and being one of the best spinners in the world, Lyon was dropped from the side.

Meanwhile, Pat Cummins has missed the AUS vs ENG 2nd Test since he hasn't recovered from his injury yet. Steve Smith is leading the team in his absence. Interestingly, England have brought in an extra spinner for this match as Will Jacks has replaced Mark Wood.

Mitchell Starc Strikes Early, Sends Duckett and Pope for Duck

Australia's star bowler Mitchell Starc has done it again. In the second Test match against England, he sent two top order batters back to the pavilion for a duck. Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope had a tough time this morning as they had to go back to the pavilion after scoring a duck in the game. It was a brilliant bowling display by Starc as he showed why he is among the best Test bowlers in the world.

Starc was also the Player of the Match in the 1st Test at Perth. Overall, he picked up 10 wickets in the match, which included a seven-wicket haul in the first innings.

Joe Root and Zak Crawley have held the ground and played with responsibility aftrt the fall of early wickets. As we write, Crawley has already slammed a half century while Root is halfway there. England's batting was one of the reasons behind their failure in the previous match and they might turn the tables this time around.