'India's on the horizon, Nathan Lyon will be a key part': Australia head coach backs veteran spinner's future

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon is intent on working his way back into the Australian side following surgery on a torn hamstring, according to head coach Andrew McDonald.

The 38-year-old is set for a lengthy spell out of action after injuring his right hamstring while attempting to stop a boundary on the final day of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide.



Despite speculation that Lyon’s 141-Test career may have come to an end, McDonald stressed that the spinner remains central to Australia’s future plans.

This latest setback marks the second major injury for Lyon in as many years. He previously missed the 2023 Ashes series in England after suffering a calf injury at Lord’s.

Lyon underwent surgery on Tuesday and is still expected to be around the squad during the fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, which begins on Friday.

"He's pretty shattered," McDonald told cricket.com.au late Tuesday. "He's a huge part of what we do.

"He's facing a long recovery timeframe. That type of injury, it's going to be a hard period for him to get back to where he was.

"But he still wants to do it and that's the main thing."

Following the remaining Ashes Tests in Melbourne and Sydney, Australia will not play another series until mid-2026, when Bangladesh tour.

That will be followed by a demanding schedule, highlighted by a five-Test tour of India starting in late January 2027 and the 150th anniversary Test against England in March.

"India's on the horizon, he'll be a key part of that," McDonald said of Lyon.

"We've got New Zealand (and) South Africa before that. So, get through this rehab and then (we'll) look forward."

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