Lyon 'absolutely filthy' at being dropped for Ashes Test / Photo: © AFP
Lyon 'absolutely filthy' at being dropped for Ashes Test
Frustrated Australian spinner Nathan Lyon said he was "absolutely filthy" at being axed for the second Ashes Test against England.
The 140-Test veteran was omitted in favour of an all-pace attack for the day-night clash in Brisbane, and only learned his fate two hours before the toss on Thursday.
It is the first time since 2012 that he has missed a home Test, replaced by right-arm paceman Michael Neser.
"Absolutely filthy," the 38-year-old told Australia's Channel Seven when asked about his demotion as England reached 325-9 at stumps on day one.
"I can't do anything about it, so I hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready, and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here."
Lyon, who bowled just two overs in Australia's two-day first Test victory in Perth, described his conversation with chief selector George Bailey about the decision as "short".
"To be honest, I haven't really sat down with Ronnie (coach Andrew McDonald) or George yet," he said.
"I'm letting things settle down in my own head, and trying to make sure that I'm, as I said, doing whatever I can to make sure the guys out in the middle representing Australia do the right thing and get the right result for us."
Lyon generally thrives on home soil, where he has bagged 268 of his 562 Test wickets at an average of 31.11 and said he believed he would have had an impact on the game.
"Obviously pretty gutted because I know the role that I can play within Australian cricket and especially a venue like this," he said.
Bailey admitted Lyon did not take being dropped well.
"Very much it's a one Test decision, Nath will play in Adelaide," he told reporters, referring to the third Test starting on December 17.
"Don't think he agreed with it, and that's fine."
P.Ortega--LGdM
