Nathan Lyon has backed Todd Murphy to withstand England's all-out batting assault, as he prepares to hand over the mantle of Australia's chief spinner for the first time in a decade.
Lyon is set to meet with Australia's medical staff on Sunday where a plan will be mapped out for his calf injury, but it appears almost certain the 36-year-old's Ashes series is over.
Murphy will be the man to replace Lyon for the third Test at Headingley on Thursday, as the only other spinner in Australia's squad after impressing on his debut tour of India.
The pair have worked closely together in recent days, with Murphy spending Saturday afternoon picking Lyon's brain.
Lyon had loomed as a key player for Australia throughout the Ashes, taking eight wickets in Australia's series-opening win at Edgbaston after England made a point of going after him.
But when asked if Murphy would be able to handle a similar approach from England in the Ashes after just 12 first-class games, Lyon said he was in no doubt.
"His stock ball is good enough in international cricket. We have seen that in India in arguably the hardest place to bowl spin," Lyon said.
"It will be a different challenge with the England batters.
"If they do come at him, it provides Todd with a decent challenge. But a chance to leave his footmarks here in England. It is a big Ashes series, he is excited by the opportunity."
Lyon likely provided his last on-field act for the tour on Saturday, hopping onto the field at Lord's and batting with one injury-free leg at No.11 to help Australia set England 371 for victory in the second Test.
The spinner does not yet know if he will remain in England for the remainder of the Ashes, or fly home for rehab there if ruled out of the series.
But the veteran stressed he would be on hand to guide the 22-year-old Murphy if required.
"I sat with Todd in the last session there and spoke about spin bowling as we do. I have a lot of confidence in Todd. He is a great kid. He is willing to learn along the way," Lyon said.
"I have told him my phone is always on, it doesn't matter if I am sitting in the changeroom with him or I am sitting at home watching it in bed."
Lyon said he was gutted by the prospect of missing the rest of the series after 100 straight Tests, but was adamant it would not be the end of his Test career.
The Headingley Test will be the first one Lyon will miss since Lord's 2013.
"I’ve been extremely lucky with injuries. I’ve been around since August 2011 and we’ve had 126 Test matches and I’ve played 122 of them," Lyon said.
"This is just a little speed bump in the road. This isn't career-defining. I am hungrier than ever to get back out there."
