‘It’s going to come’: Lyon hits back at legend’s criticism as veteran makes retirement declaration

Test spin star Nathan Lyon insists Australia’s experienced bowling quartet haven’t discussed retirement plans as he also scoffed at claims from Steve Waugh that selectors shy away from making the tough calls required to help the national side’s transition.

Lyon, 37, as well as Mitchell Starc, who turns 36 next January, Josh Hazlewood, 35 next January and Pat Cummins, who is 32, all feature in the top 10 for most Test wickets for Australian bowlers.

But questions remain over how long they can continue at the highest level and whether enough has been done to introduce the next crop.

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The legendary Shane Warne retired at 37, but Lyon insists age is just a number and that sports science allows modern cricketers to keep playing for longer.

“The game has totally changed,” he said.

“The game is a lot more professional than what it was even 10 years ago when I started. The science behind it all, the recovery, the way that players and the athletes look after themselves and the work they do outside hours to make sure they’re putting hours in to get their bodies right (have all improved).

“I feel like age is just a number. I feel like I’m still yet to play my best cricket.”

The quartet will be key to helping Australia retain the Ashes this summer, with the “R” word unlikely to be mentioned at all.

“As soon as you start talking about retirement, it’s going to come around a lot quicker,” Lyon said.

“I haven’t thought about retirement or spoken about retirement, and I know ‘Starcy’ hasn’t done that, and I know that Josh and Pat (haven’t either).

“Between the four of us, we haven’t sat down and said ‘this is what we’re going to do’. We love playing cricket with each other, we love playing cricket for Australia, we love playing our role and we love winning Test matches, so we’ll continue to do that for a while.”

While the Test attack has largely been unchanged for several years, Cummins is confident that the next crop of bowlers is coming through and is ready to step in if required.

Scott Boland has done a terrific job when called upon in red-ball games, while several emerging quicks have impressed in the Shield and on white-ball tours.

“It’s something we talk about as coaches and selectors,” the skipper said.

“White-ball (cricket) is where a lot of these opportunities come through in and amongst the Shield. We talk about it, and even some of the squads in recent years, you’ve seen some of the younger guys go to Sri Lanka and the West Indies.

“We feel like there have been lots of guys who have been in and around the Aussie set-up who are well placed to step in when needed.”

The next generation needs to be ready given Australia’s ageing squad for the Ashes that prompted former captain Steve Waugh to have a crack at chief selector George Bailey on Wednesday.

“George Bailey’s going to have to make some tough calls,” he said, suggesting players had been too vocal in selections.

“I think in the past he’s shown he hasn’t really had the appetite for that at times, so he’s going to have to step up to the plate with the other selectors.”

But Lyon disagrees with that sentiment after he was sensationally dropped for the third Test in the West Indies earlier this year despite being a mainstay of the team.

“I had a really hard conversation with Tony Dodemaide, Andrew McDonald and Pat regarding that last Test match, so I don’t necessarily agree with that,” he said.

“I feel like the selectors at the moment within the current set-up have been really clear with their messages and they’re willing to make hard calls. I was the one who received that hard conversation, so I know what it feels like.

“I feel like our relationship and communication with the coaches and selectors and the players is really strong, and that’s incredibly important.”

Meanwhile, Cummins says all-rounder Cam Green can be picked as a specialist batter in Perth as questions remain over whether he’ll be fit enough to chip in with crucial overs.

Green is expected to bowl 15-20 overs for Western Australia next week in the Sheffield Shield, with Beau Webster also in the Ashes squad.

“It’d be great (if he can bowl) because he’s an all-rounder and is a huge asset whenever he can bowl,” Cummins said, with Green’s potential selection set to have a domino effect on the rest of the squad.

“But I don’t think it’s the most important thing in the world. In the West Indies, he played but couldn’t bowl and we worked around that.

“It’d be another bonus, but I don’t think it’s the most important thing.”

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