`Axed` Lyon`s head spinning from mixed signals by Oz selectors: Lawson

Sydney: Former Australian cricketer Geoff Lawson has said that Ashes-axed bowler Nathan Lyon`s head must be spinning from the mixed messages that he is getting from selectors.

According to coach Darren Lehmann, Lyon, who had taken nine wickets in his latest Test against India in Delhi, and has taken 76 wickets in just 22 matches for Australia, was omitted as England`s top order was dominated by right-hand batsmen, for which they chose Ashton Agar’s left-arm orthodox. However, Lawson expressed his dissatisfaction with Lehmann`s explanation, saying that it was `bizarre` that the experienced and talented Lyon had been axed for the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in favour of the inexperienced 19-year-old debutant Agar, adding that Lyon was also `thrown in the deep end` like Agar at a young age. Agreeing with Lawson`s statement, the report said that Lyon`s axing seemed illogical given his nine-wicket haul earlier this year, including Indian maestro Sachin Tendulkar, with Lawson saying that Lyon deserved to be disappointed and confused by the messages coming out of the Australian camp. Surprised that Agar was `thrown in the deep end`, Lawson further said that it is astonishing that Agar was selected despite the team having better bowlers than him, adding that Lyon will be wondering if he needed to wait until the opposition have got four left-handers in their top six. However, Lawson predicted a swift return for Lyon if Agar, who did not take a wicket in England`s first innings, struggled in the second dig, although the report said that Lyon appeared to have lost the confidence of selectors this year, which he had enjoyed over the past two years since taking six-for on debut. But Lehmann opened the door for a recall, saying Lyon`s dropping did not mean that his Test career was over. Lyon was left out of the second Test against India in Hyderabad, but bounced back in the final two Tests of the 4-0 series defeat, the report added. ANI