Channel Seven’s Ricky Ponting has described Australia’s decision to leave out Nathan Lyon for the second Test of the Ashes at the Gabba as a “massive call”.

After he bowled only two overs in the first Test of the series in Perth, Australia chose to omit the greatest ever off-spinner in the country’s history from their side, opting for Queensland seamer Michael Neser in his place.

Lyon was overlooked for Australia’s last pink ball Test on their tour of West Indies in July but being dropped marks the first time Lyon has been overlooked for a home Test since 2012.

Ricky Ponting said leaving Lyon out was a “really tough call to make” on the veteran.

“He (Lyon) did only bowl those two overs in Perth. This is Michael Neser’s home ground and he knows the conditions really, really well,” Ponting said.

“But for someone like Nathan Lyon who is such a seasoned professional with a good record at the Gabba, I think it’s a massive call for the Aussies to make.”

Ponting’s fellow commentator and long-time Australian teammate Simon Katich said he was “shocked” Lyon had been overlooked.

“Just looking at this surface, it looks a good batting surface, so I would expect when the ball gets to 30-40 overs old, it will be hard work for the seamers,” he told Channel Seven.

“We know England like to play an aggressive style of game, so you need to change the tempo of the innings and the tempo of your bowling.”

Channel Seven’s Aaron Finch said Australia may rue going into the game without a spinner.

“With the pink ball, you never know how it’s going to react on a surface,” Finch told Channel 7.

“Nathan Lyon’s record at The Gabba, at Perth, when he gets extra bounce, he is somebody who is not a defensive option, he still finds a way to attack, even when all the conditions are not in his favour.”