Bailey defends Lyon exclusion

George Bailey, Australia's stand-in captain, defended his team's decision to leave Nathan Lyon out of their playing XI against South Africa, insisting that the offspinner's absence "did not turn the match".

Without Lyon, the part-time spin of Steven Smith and Glenn Maxwell leaked 40 runs in five overs and the seam attack fared little better as centuries from AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis helped South Africa to a seven-wicket win.

Well I don't disagree tbh. It was not conductive to spin bowling and Lyon isn't all that terrific in limited overs and is very "hittable". Should've played Doherty IMO - the guy has good knack of keeping it tight and variations enough to make it hard to hit him.

Why's he not in the squad BTW?

Lyon isn't a great option,on a track like that..He has a easy to read action and no big variations.More like a part time bowler.


On a more funnier note..(Sunny) Leone would have been a better option than Lyon.She has too many "variations" and could have baffled the opposition with her "action"


Pardon me if that was bad humor..just struck me..

Australian team is lacking a good spinner ever since Warne has departed. Lyon is the lad who looks like the one who can take wickets. hey should have given him a chance.