A defiant Nathan Lyon has said ahead of his all-but-certain return to the Australian Test side in Adelaide that he doesn't have a "point to prove" after being sensationally dropped at the Gabba.
The veteran off-spinner also said on Monday afternoon he would be surprised if England again overlooked off-spinner Shoaib Bashir.
Shortly after, England named its XI for the third Ashes Test and absent was Bashir — the touring squad's only specialist spinner.
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Lyon is expected to be recalled to the Australian XI as the hosts push for an unassailable 3-0 series lead in the Adelaide Oval Test, beginning on Wednesday, after selectors axed him in Brisbane for pace-bowling all-rounder Michael Neser.
Meanwhile, Steve Smith sat out training on Monday due to illness but Australia's best batter is expected to be available to play in Adelaide.
Lyon was asked in a press conference if he had a point to prove in the third Test.
"I've played 140 Test matches," the 38-year-old replied.
"I feel like I don't have a point to prove to anyone.
"I'm very clear on my role within this Australian cricket team.
"I love playing with everyone in that change room and love representing Australia, so if I get that opportunity again I'll keep doing that. My dream is to continue to play cricket for Australia.
"No one's got a given right to be selected. You've got to work your backside off to put your hand up for selection."
Lyon has hardly laid his fingerprints on this series, having only bowled two overs in the two-day Perth Test before being left out in Brisbane.
But Adelaide Oval offers great assistance to spin bowlers as Test matches wear on and Lyon has a brilliant record at the venue. From 14 Tests, he's taken 63 wickets at 25.36, including a seven-for.
He argued it was "incredibly important" that pitch curators at Australian venues ensured they prepared wickets with plenty of offering for spinners.
"I understand that cricket goes for five days and there's opportunity for pitches to wear and spinners to be able to produce their craft," Lyon said.
"I've always said, as soon as the ball spins, there's more eyes on TVs, and I'll stand by that. When we go over to India … the exciting cricket is when the ball is spinning.
"Spin's incredibly important in the game of cricket — in junior cricket, in first-class cricket, in white-ball, red-ball … It doesn't matter what format, what game of cricket, I think spin plays a massive role."
England made one change for the third Test, cutting Gus Atkinson and bringing in fellow right-arm paceman Josh Tongue.
Captain Ben Stokes will have the off spin of Will Jacks and Joe Root at his disposal, but not the off spin of Bashir after selectors overlooked him for the third Test in a row.
From 19 Tests, the young tweaker has taken 68 wickets at 39, including best figures of 6-81.
He was smashed in the game between the England Lions and Australia A at Brisbane's Allan Border Field early this month, registering figures of 0-115.
Asked how surprised he'd be if Bashir was not selected for the Adelaide Test, Lyon, speaking before the England team was named, said: "I would be surprised if their No.1 spinner is not playing, if I'm being honest with you."
Former Australian Test all-rounder Greg Matthews, who took 61 Test wickets bowling off spin, described England's spinning stocks as "desperately thin" on 2GB's Wide World of Sports on Monday night.
As for Lyon, the New South Welshman needs just two more wickets to surpass Glenn McGrath and become the second-highest Australian wicket-taker in Test cricket history, behind Shane Warne.
It will be fitting if Lyon overtakes McGrath in the third Test given the significance the venue holds for him, being a former Adelaide Oval curator.
"I dare say it may be like a little fairytale given my history working here," Lyon said.
"To overtake Glenn McGrath would be pretty incredible."
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