WI vs AUS 2025: 'Everything's an option' - Cummins might drop Nathan Lyon for Pink-Ball Test

The Australian team are weighing their options regarding team balance ahead of the third Test against the West Indies, with captain Pat Cummins not ruling out the possibility of leaving out veteran spinner Nathan Lyon. The decision is being influenced by the conditions at Sabina Park and the expected behaviour of the pink ball under lights.

Lyon, who missed three games during the 2023 Ashes after suffering a calf injury at Lord’s, has never been left out of a Test XI since the 2013 series against England. His potential omission would mark a significant shift in Australia’s approach, favouring an all-pace attack suited to the conditions.

Australia concluded their final training session on Friday, which included an extended discussion on the field between Cummins, head coach Andrew McDonald, and touring selector Tony Dodemaide. With Chair of Selectors George Bailey having returned to Australia after the second Test, Cummins is expected to confirm the playing XI on the eve of the match, as he has done throughout the series.

“I think everything's an option. We honestly haven't settled on it. We all left yesterday and thought we'd just sleep on it, come back and have a look and make up our mind today [Saturday]. [There are] a few more unknowns… I think mainly [the] pink ball and trying to get our heads around exactly what it's going to do. That last session [under lights] might be a little bit longer than Adelaide,” Cummins said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Despite the uncertainty, Lyon’s recent form remains strong. He has taken nine wickets at an average of 18.33 this series, including six in Grenada, bringing his career tally to 562, just one wicket shy of equalling Glenn McGrath as Australia’s second-highest wicket-taker behind Shane Warne. In day-night Tests, Lyon boasts 43 wickets at 25.62, better than his red-ball average of 30.52.

However, in recent pink-ball Tests, Lyon has played a minimal role. He bowled just one over in the day-night Test against India in Adelaide last season, and was not required at all against England in Hobart during the 2021–22 Ashes. The conditions at Sabina Park, combined with the behaviour of the Dukes ball under lights, could once again limit his role.

Scott Boland, who has taken 12 wickets at 16.75 in three day-night Tests, would be the likely addition. The all-rounder Beau Webster, who has featured as the fourth seamer throughout this series, also provides off-spin as a part-time option alongside Travis Head. The tourists may even consider bolstering their batting line-up if they look for three frontline quicks plus Webster, sufficient for the bowling workload.

This selection call comes at a significant moment, as Mitchell Starc prepares to play his 100th Test match. The New South Wales bowler spoke of the strong bond he shares with Lyon, Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood, his fellow NSWites. Despite that camaraderie, Cummins made it clear that any changes to the XI would be made in the team’s best interest and did not expect any negative reactions from within the squad.

“We've spent a lot of time together. So to play with a lot of really close mates, to play with a lot of really good people around the staff and the playing group has been really special,” Starc said.

“I mean, it's all hypothetical here. I think everyone here has a pretty good track record of doing whatever the team needs and being really excited for the guys that play,” said Cummins.

The wicket has grass, it will offer some spin: WI skipper Chase

West Indies captain Roston Chase has acknowledged that one of the key selection decisions ahead of the third Test against Australia is whether to bring back specialist spinner Jomel Warrican, who was left out of the playing XI in Grenada.

“I think the wicket will offer some spin as well. It has a bit of grass on it, but I think the groundsman said he might shave off a bit. So still yet to see what the final surface will look like, but it looks pretty hard. I mean, the practice wickets look similar, so the ball has been doing a bit in the practice session. Looks like a good cricket wicket,” said Chase.