‘No point’: Michael Clark questions Cricket Australia’s decision to limit Nathan Lyon County term Cricket News

Former Australia captain Michael Clark has questioned Cricket Australia’s decision to limit the number of games Nathan Lyon can play during the Lancashire Championship, adding it “doesn’t make sense” to him. Lyon, 36, initially signed with Lancashire to feature in all three formats throughout the 2024 England domestic season. But during discussions with the Australian selection committee, his tenure was reduced to red-ball matches only, meaning he could only play seven county championship games for Lancashire.

“We’ve seen in his career that the more he pitches, the better he pitches. I’d rather see him playing cricket than what is he going to do, go home and play preseason? Trying to tear your hamstring or calf in a 2K time trial?

“It doesn’t make sense to me… What’s the difference? He’s played seven games instead of nine. I’d rather see Lyon continue and I’m sure he wants to continue bowling. That’s what he’s doing does. That’s what he’s good at,” Clark said on ESPN’s “Around The Wicket.”

Lyon took just two shots on their County Championship debut in a rain-affected draw with Surrey in Lancashire. Former Australia batsman Callum Ferguson echoed similar sentiments. “I really don’t like this. I hate it. If he thinks this is the best thing for his career, I’d love to see him get a chance to play a full season.

“Because I feel like the opportunity to have the ball in Duke’s hands throughout the season and get to know as many facilities around the country as possible puts him in better shape for the next Ashes series and we Knowing how precious the ashes are to us,” he said.

Lancashire then had to sign Australia’s off-spin all-rounder Chris Green as Lyon’s replacement in the T20 Blast. Lyon will next play Test cricket when India visit Australia for the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series starting from November 22 in Perth.

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