Australian spinner Nathan Lyon was left “heartbroken” after match officials reported fellow tweaker Matthew Kuhnemann for a suspect bowling action, supporting calls for the testing process to be conducted behind closed doors.
Kuhnemann was required to undergo testing on his bowling action after he was cited during the second Test of Australia’s recent tour of Sri Lanka. The left-armer, who claimed 16 wickets at 17.18 during the 2-0 series whitewash, was cleared after completing biomechanical testing in Brisbane, which showed he was nowhere near the required threshold for a player to be banned.
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Speaking to reporters in Sydney on Monday, Lyon revealed that Kuhnemann was left “gutted” by the ordeal, throwing his support behind the Tasmanian spinner.
“I’m happy for Matt, I’m happy it’s all cleared and all done. He hadn’t done anything wrong,” Lyon said.
“I was pretty heartbroken in a sense. I actually flew home (from Sri Lanka) with him. He was pretty gutted when he was talking to me about what he had to do, and he was pretty nervous.
“But for him to have his name cleared, I couldn’t be nothing but prouder for Matt and the way he’s gone about it.”
Lyon continued: “Matt’s a great guy. The Australian public will be behind him, I’m behind him.
“He’s been spectacular for Australia and he’s got my full support.”
Reports have since emerged of the potential for future instances of a suspect bowling action to remain confidential until testing results are known.
When asked about the current process, where bowlers are publicly shamed before they undergo testing, Lyon responded: “I’m not sure what the actual process was within the match referees and the officials.
“It would’ve been nice if it was kept under wraps and they could’ve went through the process behind closed doors.”
Umpire Joel Wilson, reportedly the match official that cited Kuhnemann’s bowling action, was stood down from the International Cricket Council’s Elite Panel of Umpires last week.
Wilson infamously denied Lyon the crucial LBW dismissal of England all-rounder Ben Stokes on the final day of the 2019 Ashes Test at Headingley.
“I’ve had Joel stand at my end a lot of times throughout my career,” Lyon said.
“I’ve got nothing against Joel, he’s a lovely guy.
“I wish him all the best with his future adventures.”
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has unveiled its international schedule for the 2025/26 season, which includes matches across 11 cities and 14 venues. The national men’s team will play eight white-ball matches against India before a five-Test Ashes campaign, while the women will face India in a multi-format series.
2025-26 INTERNATIONAL SCHEDULE
Men’s T20I Series v South Africa
Sunday, August 10: Marrara Stadium, Darwin (N)
Tuesday August 12: Marrara Stadium, Darwin, (N)
Saturday, August 16: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, (N)
Men’s ODI Series v South Africa
Tuesday, August 19: Cazalys Stadium, Cairns, (D/N)
Friday, August 22: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, (D/N)
Sunday, August 24: Great Barrier Reef Arena, Mackay, (D/N)
Men’s ODI Series v India
Sunday, October 19: Perth Stadium, Perth, (D/N)
Thursday, October 23: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, (D/N)
Saturday, October 25: SCG, Sydney, (D/N)
Men’s T20I Series v India
Wednesday, October 29: Manuka Oval, Canberra, (N)
Friday, October 31: MCG, Melbourne, (N)
Sunday, November 2: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, (N)
Thursday, November 6: Gold Coast Stadium, Gold Coast, (N)
Saturday, November 8: The Gabba, Brisbane, (N)
Men’s Ashes
21-25 November: West Test, Perth Stadium, Perth
4-8 December: Day-Night Test, The Gabba, Brisbane
17-21 December: Christmas Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
26-30 December: Boxing Day Test, MCG, Melbourne
4-8 January: Pink Test, SCG, Sydney
Women’s T20I Series v India
Sunday, February 15: SCG, Sydney, (N)
Thursday, February 19: Manuka Oval, Canberra, (N)
Saturday, February 21: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, (N)
Women’s ODI Series v India
Tuesday, February 24: Allan Border Field, Brisbane, (D/N)
Friday, February 27: Bellerive Oval, Hobart, (D/N)
Sunday March 1: CitiPower Centre, Melbourne, (D/N)
Women’s Test v India
March 6-9: WACA Ground, Perth (D/N)
