First, Nathan Lyon lost his position as the Australian cricket team’s songmaster.
Then, the veteran off-spinner lost his place in the side for their Day-Night Test match against the West Indies.
Lyon’s absence in Kingston marks the first time the Aussies have been without the bowler, while he has been injury-free, in over a decade.
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Australian selectors made the bold decision to go with a four-pronged pace attack for the final Test against the West Indies, sensationally leaving Lyon out of the picture.
"We thought the exceptional circumstances justified having the four quicks so that we could rotate those guys and keep the pressure on," Aussie selector Tony Dodemaide explained.
"On a well-grassed surface and a hard surface with lots of nighttime play hours, that was the best way to win the game."
Lyon has been an ever-present in the Test team since the 2013 series against England. In fact, he has missed just three matches in the intervening time after he injured his calf during the 2023 Ashes.
However, the bowler has been overlooked in favour of Scott Boland for the clash as the Aussies go in search of their third successive victory over their opponents.
The decision means Lyon must wait to inch his name further up the list, as he sits on 562 scalps, which is just one short of equaling Glenn McGrath's record as the second-most for his country.
Lyon has taken nine wickets during the tour of the West Indies and also boasts a decent return in day-night Tests.
He has claimed 43 wickets at 25.62, although his chances have been limited in recent times, perhaps pointing to the bold decision to axe him.
He wasn’t brought into the attack under the lights at all against England during the 2021-22 Ashes game in Hobart. Most recently, he bowled only one over in the day-night Test against India in Adelaide.
"The key in here is it's a conditions-based decision to go with the four quicks," Dodemaide added.
"What we found here with the limited data that we have on particularly the pink Dukes ball… [is] that it actually behaves a little differently to the Kookaburra one."
There is no suggestion that Lyon’s place in the side is under pressure moving forward, although Dodemaide did admit that the decision had left the veteran disappointed.
"He's a great competitor and he believes he can be effective in any conditions," the selector said.
"But he's a team man as well and understands the right thing for the team and he'll do his best to support the guys.
"It's a one-off. It's no reflection on performance for Nathan."