'Very frustrated' - Shane Warne furious at media reports suggesting he asked Nathan Lyon to be dropped for Sydney Test

Everyone expected the ongoing Test series between Australia and New Zealand to be a close affair between two cricketing giants, but it has turned out to be a one-sided boring affair so far. After humiliating neighbours, New Zealand in the first two Test matches, hosts Australia are on cloud nine as of now. With one match to go in the series, they have taken an unassailable lead.

After beating New Zealand with two big margins in the first two Tests, Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne had suggested that his international side should try some new names in their playing eleven for the third and final Test of the series. He backed young rookie leggie Mitchell Swepson to get a game even if Australia had to drop their premium spinner, Nathan Lyon.

“What an opportunity to rest a quickie with some stuff going on and India coming up. It might hurt at the moment for someone to give up a Test match; Nathan Lyon or one of the quicks because it’s the last Test of the summer. Maybe leave a batsman out and play all five; push (Tim) Paine up to No.6. Just give (Swepson) a chance and just find a spot for him,” Warne said as quoted by Fox Cricket.

Shane Warne took to Twitter to express his disappointment

This comment of Warne didn’t go too well with Lyon as he was furious in his reply saying, “Did Warney ever want a rest and give Stuart MacGill a go? I won’t be rested.” Shane Warne was surely not happy with this stinging response of Lyon. He straightaway cleared that he didn’t mean to say ‘drop Lyon for Swepson’ and it was just a headline made up by social media to get more attention to this issue.

Warne took to his Twitter handle to express his disappointment saying, “Very frustrated at some journalists suggesting I said drop Lyon for the Syd test. Surely, there’s a responsibility to put in context and report the whole conversation we had on @FoxCricket & not just look for a sensational headline & stir the pot. Disappointing but not surprised.”

Very frustrated at some journalists suggesting I said drop Lyon for the Syd test. Surely, there’s a responsibility to put in context and report the whole conversation we had on @FoxCricket & not just look for a sensational headline & stir the pot. Disappointing but not surprised

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 31, 2019

The last Test match is going to be played at Sydney, a pitch which assists spinners the most in Australia. So, there is a chance for young Swepson to debut over there only if Australian management agrees with the plans to play two frontline spinners. Lyon would also love to play alongside a full-time leg spinner for the first time in his Test career, but Lyon stated that is not going to rest for Swepson or anybody. He just wants to represent his country as much as possible.

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