Nathan Lyon wins ultimate praise for ‘amazing moment’ with Michael Neser

Just three days after an “absolutely filthy” Nathan Lyon poured his heart out on national TV over being dropped for the second Ashes Test in Brisbane, the Aussie spinner has proven he remains the ultimate team man.

Lyon was controversially left out of the Test team to face England at the Gabba, with Australia’s selectors instead opting for Queensland local Michael Neser to join Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett in a four-pronged pace attack.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nathan Lyon lauded for selfless team act.

It was the second straight time George Bailey and his selection panel decided to overlook Lyon for a day-night match, having done so for the third Test against West Indies in July, but just the first home game the off-spinner had missed in 13 years.

Speaking to Channel 7 on Day 1 of the Gabba Test, Lyon couldn’t hide his emotions, but remained steadfast that he would still have a team-first attitude for the week.

“Absolutely filthy, but yeah, can’t do anything about it,” he said on Thursday.

“Hope I can play my role in making sure I get the guys ready and do whatever I can to make sure that we get the right result here.

“I’m extremely disappointed, but I’ll do whatever to make sure these guys (the Australian team) are right.”

The selection came under intense scrutiny several times throughout England’s first and second innings as the wicket flattened out and opportunities for Lyon’s high quality spin appeared to go begging.

But Neser’s heroics in the second innings, claiming a maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket, ultimately justified his selection.

And when the 35-year-old walked off the field holding the ball aloft with career-best figures late on Day 4, having bowled Australia to within touching distance of a 2-0 series lead, Lyon proved his commitment to the team wasn’t just in words.

The axed veteran was the first person to go straight up to Neser and embrace him with a massive hug, and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“I tell you what the amazing moment for mine was as well, was when Michael Neser came out towards the pavilion, the very first bloke that met him was Nathan Lyon, and that pretty much sums up what this cricket team is all about,” Matthew Hayden said on Channel 7.

“We heard from him on Day 1, and the headlines right across Australia mentioned the word ‘filthy’. There was nothing filthy about that gesture; he went straight up to Neser and (gave him) huge congratulations.

“That’s what it means to play for Australia, that sort of stuff. It’s the one-percenters inside the group — you may miss out yourself, but you’re always looking for your mate to go well.

“That’s what playing for the baggy green means.”

Aaron Finch said Neser deserved every plaudit he got, including from Lyon.

“He’s been one of the most popular people in Australian cricket for such a long period of time, Michael Neser,” Finch said.

“He’s a wonderful person, he’s been a great contributor to Queensland cricket with bat and ball. Every season he’s there and thereabouts, and he gives his all, regardless of the situation.

“Today, he got his rewards on the biggest stage.”

After Australia’s big win, stand-in skipper Steve Smith was asked whether he thought Neser’s performance had proven it was the right call to make the controversial change.

“I hope so,” Smith said.

“It was tight, we could’ve gone a few different ways and it’s certainly nothing against Nathan. He’s been our spinner for a long time.”

Smith explained Neser earned a third Test cap for his points of difference from the other right-arm pace-bowlers.

Neser is practised at bowling with the wicketkeeper up to the stumps, a tactic to apply pressure to batters that works best for a bowler of his accuracy and medium pace.

It paid off, with Stokes caught by gloveman Alex Carey as he was positioned closer to the stumps than is usual when pace is being bowled.

Neser also has five first-class centuries so looked set to extend Australia’s batting deeper into the tail after a dismal first innings in Perth, though was ultimately dismissed on 16 in his only dig.

“I think Michael offers something different,” Smith said.

“We can bring the keeper up, we can bowl stump to stump, keep things tight and make you take risks when the ball’s probably not quite as quick or a little bit skiddy.

“It was a kind of similar role as to what Nathan would play, obviously not a spinner, but similar role and obviously (he) extended our batting which we thought was going to be crucial as well.”

- With AAP