‘I’m about 26 weeks now post surgery and…’ – Nathan Lyon confident of returning for Bangladesh Tests after recovering from hamstring injury

Australia’s veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon is confident of making his return to international cricket in the opening Test against Bangladesh after making significant progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury.

The 38-year-old has been sidelined since suffering the injury during the third Ashes Test in December. Lyon underwent surgery to reattach the damaged hamstring and has since been working his way back to full fitness ahead of a busy Test schedule for Australia over the next 13 months.

The first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh is scheduled to begin in Darwin on August 13, and Lyon believes he will be ready to take the field.

“I’m very confident I’ll be here next month. I’m feeling very good. The rehab’s been really good. I’m about 26 weeks now post surgery and back to doing everything. Running high speed, doing everything like that. I’m looking forward to it,” Lyon was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

The experienced spinner missed Australia’s last two pink-ball Tests in Kingston and Brisbane, where the selectors preferred an all-pace attack. Australia is set for a demanding Test calendar, with challenging away series against South Africa, India, and England lined up after the Bangladesh assignment.

Despite being in the latter stages of his career, Lyon insisted that he is still motivated to improve and contribute to the national side.

“I’m still trying to get better. I still feel like there’s a lot of learning there for me, and I still feel like I’ve got a massive role to play within Cricket Australia,” he continued.

The veteran also acknowledged the competition for places in the Australian Test side, saying that no player’s position is guaranteed regardless of experience.

“You’re always feeling the pressure; no-one’s got a given right to be selected for Australia… it’s not just my position people are going for; people are trying to knock off Steve Smith as well. That’s the challenge that’ll keep us older fellas on our toes,” he concluded.

Lyon has represented Australia in 141 Test matches, making him the country’s fifth-most capped men’s Test cricketer. He is now just four Tests away from equalling Shane Warne‘s tally of 145 Test appearances, a remarkable milestone in his illustrious career.