Nathan Lyon gives new challenge to England spinners ahead of Ashes 2025/26

The veteran Australia off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, feels that spin will play a huge role during their home summer for the Ashes 2025/26 against England, who may be surprised with their pace-bowling planning. The Ben Stokes-led side will enter their fifth and final WC contest at home this year with no frontline spinner after Shoaib Bashir’s injury and the decision to drop Liam Dawson. 

Lyon was present before the reporters during a Cricket Australia Sponsorship announcement in Sydney on July 31 and provided many insights into how the two sides should plan for the oldest rivalry in the game this November. He suggested that England will need to re-jig their plans before the opening contest on November 21 in Perth.

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‘I played with Jimmy Anderson last year at Lancashire, and he said that they're picking Bashir to do what I do. So I took a little bit of pride out of Jimmy respecting a little bit of what I've been able to do in my career. But Bashir has been OK. Jacob Bethell is playing this Test match (at The Oval against India).’ The New South Wales spinner expressed.

Nathan Lyon suggests England to rejig plans for Ashes 2025/26

Lyon was left out of the Australian playing eleven for the first time apart from injury since he made his debut against Sri Lanka 13 years ago. He didn’t play their recent red-ball fixture against West Indies at the Sabina Park in Jamaica, as Scott Boland replaced him due to the day-night game with the pink ball assisting the pacers.

It is a massive role, and it can be a massive challenge for people who haven't done it in the past in these conditions. But I'm not going to let my secrets out, so they come out and perform well out here. Our guys know how to play spin well in this country. That's probably what helped me develop my skill to where it is at the moment. I know I'll keep trying to get better, and we'll see how their spinners go.’ The veteran informed.

Australia has been unbeaten at home against the England side since losing the 2011/12 series. They retained the urn during the last series in 2023 after drawing with a 2-2 margin.