
Australia make big selection call, bat first in Jamaica
Australia's captain Pat Cummins confirmed at the toss at Kingston's Sabina Park on Saturday that the tourists would go with four quicks in the day-night Test, with Scott Boland coming in.
The Test looms as Australia's last before this summer's home Ashes, and a chance to complete a 3-0 sweep of the Frank Worrell Trophy.
Lyon has played every Test he has been fit for since the second Test of the 2013 Ashes, racking up 100 consecutive matches after that.
The spinner then suffered a calf tear at Lord's in 2023 and missed the final three Tests of that Ashes, before returning to the side for the start of the next summer.
Since Lyon's debut in 2011, he has featured in 139 of the 146 Tests Australia have played.
While the day-night Tests are generally thought to suit the quicks under lights, Lyon has a better record with pink balls than he does with the red.
But pace has dominated this series, with seamers accounting for 67 of the 78 wickets across the first two Tests.
Lyon has had strong returns of nine wickets at 18.33, but he has bowled only 32.3 overs, while Australia can also use Travis Head and Beau Webster's spin if needed.
"With the pink ball, it is a little different to a normal Test," Cummins said.
West Indies have also made a bold call, dropping former captain Kraigg Brathwaite after he scored just 15 runs across the first four Tests.
Keacy Carty has also been axed, with Kevlon Anderson to debut at No.3 and Mikyle Louis to open. Spinner Jomel Warrican has also come in for Anderson Phillip.
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wkt), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
West Indies: Mikyle Louis, John Campbell, Kevlon Anderson, Brandon King, Shai Hope (wkt), Roston Chase (capt), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.

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an hour ago
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