Nathan Lyon added to Australia T20I squad for India series, Cameron Green released

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon has been added to Australia’s T20I squad for the remaining matches against India to be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Cameron Green, who was previously a part of the team, has been released to take part in the warm-up match between Australia A and India A, starting Sunday, December 6 at the Drummoyne Oval in Sydney.

Lyon hasn’t played a T20I for over two years, having last represented the country against Pakistan in Dubai in October 2018. The 33-year-old last played in the format for the Sydney Sixers against Melbourne Stars in the final of the 2019-20 Big Bash League. Even more than the upcoming T20Is, Lyon is expected to be a vital cog in Australia’s setup for the Test series.

Cameron Green to prepare for India Tests  

As far as Green is concerned, he played one match in the ODI series where he scored 21 runs and returned wicketless. The 21-year-old is also a part of Australia’s Test squad and will be looking to brush his skills in the practice match to be played on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. He was given a national call-up after some decent performances for Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield.

Australia are already behind the 8-ball in the T20I series, losing the first match by 11 runs at the Manuka Oval in Canberra. Even before the match started, the hosts were jolted with a blow after Ashton Agar was ruled out due to a calf injury and Mitchell Swepson was called upon as his replacement. To add to their agony, skipper Aaron Finch is also nursing an injury.

Finch sustained an injury to his hip/buttock region and the Aussies are awaiting the results of the scans. If he doesn’t take part in the last two matches, it remains to be seen who takes over the leadership mantle in Australia’s must-win matches at the SCG.

Marcus Stoinis, David Warner and Mitchell Starc have also developed injuries during this while. Pat Cummins was rested while Lyon, Swepson and D’Arcy Short have been added to the white-ball squads. The second T20I is set to be played on Sunday, December 6.