Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world by suggesting the nation's greatest-ever spinner, Nathan Lyon, could be left out of the starting XI for the first Ashes Test against England later this month.
Selection Puzzle for Perth Opener
The composition of the Australian team for the series opener at Perth's Optus Stadium, starting on November 21, remains fiercely debated with less than two weeks until the highly anticipated match. A significant part of the selection dilemma revolves around the fitness of Western Australian all-rounder Cam Green.
Green has delivered a mere four overs this summer as he continues his recovery from serious back surgery. If he is not deemed fit to bowl for the first Test, it is likely Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster will retain his place, leaving Green to either miss selection entirely or play as a specialist top-order batsman.
Taylor's Bold Spin Theory
However, Taylor proposed an alternative, more controversial scenario. He indicated that if selectors are determined to field both Webster and Green, they might opt to leave out Nathan Lyon and rely on the part-time spin options of Webster and Travis Head.
This would not be without precedent. Lyon was sensationally dropped from the third Test in the West Indies earlier this year, a bold move despite his status as Australia's all-time leading off-spin bowler. The decision is even more surprising given Lyon's phenomenal record at the Perth venue, where he is the leading Test wicket-taker with 29 wickets at an average of less than 21, a remarkable feat on a pitch famous for its pace and bounce.
"If Green is fit, he will play. And when I say fit, I mean fit to bowl," Taylor stated on Nine's Wide World of Sports. "In my side, unfortunately Webster probably doesn't play. They've got to get Green back into the side, but he has to bowl a few overs. Webster would be the unlucky one."
"Don't be surprised, though, Australia has already done this once this year, if someone like Nathan Lyon doesn't play the first Test," he added. "The only other way they can go is by playing all their quicks and Webster and Green and not have an offie. They've got Travis Head and Beau himself bowls a few offies. They might do that for Perth, which I don't like particularly. I think Nathan has got to play, but don't be surprised if that happens."
Weatherald Tipped for Debut
In other selection news, Taylor has thrown his support behind uncapped batter Jake Weatherald, advocating for his debut at the top of the order in the crucial first Test.
"I really hope that Jake Weatherald plays. There is a lot of discussions around whether he will open the batting or not. I really hope he does now play," Taylor said. "I think they've got to start settling on an opening combination. Usman Khawaja is 39 in two weeks' time, so he is not going to be playing for too much longer. They've got to get that younger openers in there. Jake is not that young, mind you, he is 31. He has a few years left in him and he's deserved his selection by scoring lots of runs in Shield cricket."
