Nathan Lyon Ruled Out Until March After Successful Hamstring Surgery

MELBOURNE :  Australia’s premier off-spinner Nathan Lyon will not return to the cricket field until at least March 2026, following a “high-grade” hamstring injury sustained during the final day of the third Ashes Test against England.

Lyon was forced from the field on day five after pulling up lame while fielding on the boundary. Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed on Monday that the veteran spinner underwent successful surgical repair on December 23.

“Nathan Lyon has sustained a high-grade right hamstring injury,” CA said in an official statement. “Nathan has entered an extended period of rehabilitation that will rule him out of the remainder of the domestic season.”

The news is a devastating blow for the Melbourne Renegades. Lyon, who signed a marquee three-year deal with the club prior to the 2023/24 season, will now miss the entire Big Bash League (BBL) campaign. Remarkably, due to international commitments and injuries, Lyon is yet to feature in a single game of his three-year contract with the Melbourne franchise.

While Lyon has begun his rehabilitation, CA officials stated that his return-to-play timeline remains fluid. He will undergo further testing in the coming months to determine if he will be fit for the start of the next international cycle.