Test spin star Nathan Lyon has firmly dismissed any discussions of retirement among Australia’s seasoned bowling quartet, responding to former captain Steve Waugh’s criticism of the national selectors. Waugh suggested that selectors have been reluctant to make the tough decisions necessary for the team’s future transition.
Lyon, 37, along with Mitchell Starc, who will turn 36 in January, Josh Hazlewood, also 35 next January, and Pat Cummins, 32, are all ranked among the top 10 Australian bowlers for most Test wickets. Despite their impressive records, questions linger about how long they can maintain their performance at the highest level and whether the next generation of bowlers is being adequately prepared.
The legendary Shane Warne retired at 37, a benchmark that Lyon acknowledges but challenges, citing advancements in sports science that allow modern cricketers to extend their careers.
“The game has totally changed,” Lyon stated. “The game is a lot more professional than what it was even 10 years ago. The science behind it all, the recovery, the way that players and the athletes look after themselves and the work they do outside hours to make sure they’re putting hours in to get their bodies right have all improved.”
He added, “I feel like age is just a number. I feel like I’m still yet to play my best cricket.”
Australia’s Bowling Quartet: A Key to Ashes Success
The experienced quartet is crucial for Australia as they aim to retain the Ashes this summer. Lyon emphasized that the topic of retirement is not on their agenda.
“As soon as you start talking about retirement, it’s going to come around a lot quicker,” Lyon said. “I haven’t thought about retirement or spoken about retirement, and I know ‘Starcy’ hasn’t done that, and I know that Josh and Pat haven’t either.”
He continued, “Between the four of us, we haven’t sat down and said ‘this is what we’re going to do’. We love playing cricket with each other, we love playing cricket for Australia, we love playing our role and we love winning Test matches, so we’ll continue to do that for a while.”
The Next Generation of Bowlers
While the current Test attack has remained largely unchanged for several years, Captain Pat Cummins is confident that emerging talent is ready to step up when needed. Scott Boland has proven his capability in red-ball games, and several young quicks have shown promise in the Sheffield Shield and on white-ball tours.
“It’s something we talk about as coaches and selectors,” Cummins explained. “White-ball cricket is where a lot of these opportunities come through in and amongst the Shield. We talk about it, and even some of the squads in recent years, you’ve seen some of the younger guys go to Sri Lanka and the West Indies.”
Cummins believes that the younger players are well-positioned to fill any gaps, should they arise.
Selector Criticism and Response
Steve Waugh recently criticized chief selector George Bailey, suggesting he needs to make tougher decisions. Waugh implied that some players have been too influential in selection processes.
“George Bailey’s going to have to make some tough calls,” Waugh stated. “I think in the past he’s shown he hasn’t really had the appetite for that at times, so he’s going to have to step up to the plate with the other selectors.”
However, Lyon refuted these claims, citing his own experience of being dropped for the third Test in the West Indies as evidence of the selectors’ willingness to make difficult decisions.
“I had a really hard conversation with Tony Dodemaide, Andrew McDonald, and Pat regarding that last Test match, so I don’t necessarily agree with that,” Lyon said. “I feel like the selectors at the moment within the current set-up have been really clear with their messages and they’re willing to make hard calls.”
Cam Green’s Role in the Ashes
Meanwhile, Cummins addressed the potential role of all-rounder Cam Green in the upcoming Ashes. Green is expected to bowl 15-20 overs for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield, but questions remain about his fitness to contribute crucial overs.
“It’d be great if he can bowl because he’s an all-rounder and is a huge asset whenever he can bowl,” Cummins noted. “But I don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world. In the West Indies, he played but couldn’t bowl and we worked around that.”
Green’s selection could have a significant impact on the team dynamics, with Beau Webster also in the Ashes squad as a potential option.
As Australia prepares for the Ashes, the blend of experienced players and emerging talent will be critical in maintaining their competitive edge. The ongoing dialogue between players, coaches, and selectors will likely shape the team’s strategy and success in the coming series.
