Big Bash; Nathan Lyons absence labelled a shame amid resting questions

Spin star Nathan Lyon “definitely” wanted to play in Friday’s Big Bash clash for his new team the Melbourne Renegades as captain Nic Maddinson joined the critics of Cricket Australia’s decision to make him unavailable for the single clash.

Maddinson said Lyon, who was withdrawn by CA ahead of the start of next week’s Test in Perth, had the clash with his old Sydney Sixers team “on his calendar” and labelled it a “shame” the game had been impacted.

Renegades coach David Saker lashed CA for its resting policy with Test fast bowler Scott Boland also unable to play for the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba on Thursday night despite being unlikely to play against Pakistan next week unless an injury arises.

Lyon joined the Renegades after the Sixers failed to offer him a contract, and his BBL availability could be limited after Friday given his Test commitments.

Maddinson said the absence of Lyon, who has played two Sheffield Shield matches for NSW after returning from a serious calf injury which forced him out of the Ashes, diluted the Big Bash product, which went against CA’s aims for the T20 league.

“We want the product to be as strong as possible,” he said.

“We change the rules around the overseas draft to get the biggest names in, so if it’s one game or two games you can have someone like Nathan Lyon or Scott Boland playing, I think we need to make it happen.

“It’s a shame. It’s only four overs, three if you bowl crap.

“The thing is, Nathan Lyon wants to get out there and play match intensity as well. He’s played a couple of Shield games but any time you are playing at that high intensity it’s a good thing.

“He definitely wanted to play. I know that. He’s been talking about it for a long time.

“Since we found out he was coming on board and then he signed, he’s had this day on the calendar.”

World Cup winner Adam Zampa, who has crossed to the Renegades from the Melbourne Stars, was named in a 14-player squad for the SCG clash but Maddinson only said he “hoped do” when asked if the star spinner would take his place.

Zampa spent nearly three months on tour in South Africa and India before leaving midway through the T20 series last week to finally come home.

“I know he wants to get involved and play,” Maddinson said.

“He does need to prioritise rest, it’s been a big couple of months for him.”

Maddinson is making his Big Bash return after suffering an ACL injury in January.

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