Australia will spend the Boxing Day Test working out how to cope without Nathan Lyon, after the veteran off-spinner underwent surgery on his right hamstring on Tuesday. The 38-year-old tore the muscle chasing a ball on the final morning in Adelaide and left the ground on crutches. Early estimates suggest a rehabilitation period of at least three to four months.
Coach Andrew McDonald admitted there is no firm return date. “He’s pretty shattered,” McDonald said. “He’s facing a long recovery timeframe, so I’ll leave that up to the medical team, but all I know is it’ll be pretty long.”
A packed Test schedule – Bangladesh next August, followed by South Africa, New Zealand, India, a one-off England fixture to mark 150 years of Test cricket, and then the 2027 Ashes – means Lyon’s recovery is being viewed through a broad lens rather than the short term. McDonald stressed that the off-spinner remains central to those plans, provided his body allows it.
“After the surgery, I think we’ll get more information as to what they’ve done. The scan will tell us one thing, but I’d imagine that the surgeon will give us a report, and then they’ll give us a rough length of time, and it’s going to take a lot of hard work,” the coach said. “That type of injury, it’s going to be a hard period for him to obviously get back to where he was but he still wants to do it, and that’s the main thing. India is on the horizon. He’ll be a key part of that. We’ve got New Zealand before that, and we’ve got South Africa before that.”
For now the baton passes to Todd Murphy, recalled as the lone specialist spinner in a 13-man squad for Melbourne. The 25-year-old has featured in seven Tests, including last year’s tours of India and England. “His journey has been a great one. I think he’s played seven Test matches now, so he’s familiar with the group, and he’s got that experience under his belt,” McDonald noted.
Murphy’s selection edged out fellow off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, left-armer Matthew Kuhnemann and leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. Kuhnemann’s tighter control and Rocchiccioli’s strong Sheffield Shield numbers – 25 wickets at 25 this season – kept the discussion lively at Sunday’s selection meeting, but the panel leaned on Murphy’s international exposure.
Former selector Jamie Cox sympathised with Rocchiccioli yet felt continuity mattered. “You usually back the bloke who has already bowled to Virat and Root,” Cox told ABC Radio. “Murph has done that and not looked out of place.”
Conditions will determine whether Murphy actually plays. The MCG surface offered pace and seam movement during last season’s Test, and Australia are considering a four-pronged fast-bowling attack. If that happens, part-time off-spinner Travis Head would handle any overs of spin required, leaving Murphy to run drinks.
Lyon had spoken often about extending his career to the 2027 Ashes. Another major injury so soon after the calf tear that ended his 2023 Ashes campaign is a cruel setback, but McDonald remains encouraged by his charge’s resolve. “I think in Adelaide, it was probably the best I’ve seen him bowl for a little while in terms of the shape and the energy he had on the ball. So, yeah, get through this rehab and then look forward to what it looks like.”
Physio Nick Jones expects Lyon to spend at least six weeks in a brace before commencing gradual strength work. “At Nathan’s age you tread carefully,” Jones said. “The goal is quality cricket in 18 months, not rushing him back for April club games.”
Murphy, meanwhile, has been busy fine-tuning. He spent the lead-up to the Test working with Victoria spin coach Craig Howard, sharpening the drift that troubled India’s right-handers last February. “I’ve tried to keep my run-up direct and push through the crease harder,” Murphy said at Junction Oval. “It’s tiny changes but they give me confidence.”
Through 2026-27 Australia could play 20 Tests, many on turning pitches. Even if Lyon returns, workloads will demand more than one spinner. Swepson, Rocchiccioli and Kuhnemann will all feel they remain in the conversation. South Australia coach Jason Gillespie urged them to be ready. “Opportunities pop up fast,” he said. “Look at what happened after Nathan’s calf in England – suddenly Murph was in an Ashes series.”
For now, the attention is on Boxing Day. A capacity crowd, a surface with a touch of grass, and the first glimpse of a spin department learning to function without its 508-wicket anchor. Australia have been here before and found answers. Doing so again will shape the next two years of their Test cricket.
