Australia head coach Andrew McDonald opened up about veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s injury ahead of the Boxing Day Test against England during the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series. McDonald stated that Lyon is determined to return to the Australian cricket team after undergoing surgery for a torn hamstring.
Lyon suffered a hamstring injury late on the final day of the Adelaide Ashes Test against England. The veteran spinner hurt himself while stretching near the boundary at fine leg to stop a four. After receiving medical attention, Lyon left the field clutching his hamstring and was ruled out of the remainder of the series.
He’s Pretty Shattered – Andrew McDonald on Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon remains an important part of Australia’s plans despite concerns about his future. Andrew McDonald said that the spinner is deeply disappointed but eager to bounce back.
Your daily dose of cricket!
After undergoing surgery, Lyon is still expected to remain with the Australia squad during the fourth Ashes Test, which is set to begin on Friday, December 26, in Melbourne. Lyon had suffered a calf problem that ruled him out of the 2023 Ashes in England.
“He’s pretty shattered,” McDonald told cricket.com.au late Tuesday. “He’s a huge part of what we do. “He’s facing a long recovery timeframe. That type of injury, it’s going to be a hard period for him to get back to where he was. “But he still wants to do it and that’s the main thing.”
India’s On the Horizon, He’ll Be A Key Part of It – Andrew McDonald
Australia’s Test schedule gives Nathan Lyon time to recover without rushing his return. After the final Ashes Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia will not play another series until mid-2026, when they will travel to Bangladesh.
Australia are set to face New Zealand and South Africa before a demanding five-Test tour of India in early 2027, followed by the 150th anniversary Test against England. McDonald said the focus is on Lyon completing his rehabilitation and being ready for those key assignments.
“India’s on the horizon, he’ll be a key part of that,” McDonald said of Lyon. “We’ve got New Zealand (and) South Africa before that. So, get through this rehab and then (we’ll) look forward.”
Nathan Lyon Replaced by Todd Murphy for Final Two Tests
Nathan Lyon has been a key part of Australia’s Test team for many years. He has played 141 Tests, including 100 consecutive matches between 2013 and 2023. Australia used two spinners in some matches in the subcontinent, but Lyon remained the first-choice spinner at home.
Lyon has also spoken about his future plans. He has said many times that he wants to tour India and England with Australia in 2027. By then, he will be close to 40 years old, but is still keen to keep playing.
With Lyon ruled out, Australia have picked Todd Murphy as the main spin option for the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne. The 25-year-old was preferred over Matthew Kuhnemann, Corey Rocchiccioli, and Mitchell Swepson.
