Australia Drops Nathan Lyon for Scott Boland in South Africa Test

Australia Unleashes Pace Attack at St George’s Park

Australia has dropped Nathan Lyon for Scott Boland as Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl first against South Africa on day one of the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The touring captain unleashed a four-man pace attack on a gloomy, damp surface.

The selection marks the fifth time Australia has opted to play without a specialist spinner in their last ten Tests. However, it is the first time Lyon has been left out of a red-ball Test when fit since he replaced Ashton Agar for the third Test of the 2013 Ashes in England. Boland comes into the XI as the only change for the visitors, joining Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood.

Nic Maddinson has retained his spot at the top of the batting order. Matt Renshaw is listed to bat at No. 5 following scores of 190 and 82 in Durban.

Curator Surface Prep Surprises Tourists

Steve Smith admitted he was taken aback after speaking with the head curator at St George’s Park before play began. The Australian batter learned that the venue does not use hessian underneath the covers during pitch preparation.

I was taken back by that. I don’t think I’ve seen that before, Smith told Kayo Sports, adding that the curator prefers to leave moisture in the surface. Smith noted the conditions could be tricky for the batters early doors.

The grassy pitch offers immediate assistance to the seamers. Australia enters the match looking to secure an unassailable 2-0 series lead and claim their first Test victory at the venue since 1997. The team lost their past two matches in Gqeberha, including a six-wicket defeat in 2018 where Kagiso Rabada took 11 wickets.

Proteas Recall Rabada and Reshuffle Lineup

South Africa made three changes to their side following a defeat in Durban. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada returns to the attack alongside debutant Marques Ackerman, who will open the batting, and Matthew Breetzke.

Rabada has 58 wickets in 11 Tests against Australia at an average of 21.39. His return provides a significant lift for the home side after he claimed nine scalps during the Proteas’ World Test Championship final win at Lord’s last year.

Now to have him on the field, that’ll be a massive boost within our bowling attack, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma told SEN. But also him as a leader, the guys will feed off his confidence. He’s a natural leader – obviously also the success that he’s had against Australia, that’s something that he’ll be feeding off and looking to replicate in terms of performances.

Ryan Rickelton has also taken over the wicketkeeping duties for the Proteas as part of the team reshuffle.

Match Schedule and Team Lineups

Play got underway at 7pm AEDT at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. The match is broadcast live on Fox Cricket channel 501 and streamed on Kayo Sports.

More on Australia: Australia Moves Within Four Wickets of Kingsmead Test Victory · Australia and New Zealand face selection battles for World Cup opener · Why Australia's Interest Rate Hikes Are Failing to Stop Inflation

Australia Playing XI

• Travis Head
• Nic Maddinson
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Steve Smith
• Matt Renshaw
• Alex Carey (wk)
• Beau Webster
• Pat Cummins (c)
• Mitchell Starc
• Scott Boland
• Josh Hazlewood

South Africa Playing XI

• Aiden Markram
• Marques Ackerman
• David Bedingham
• Temba Bavuma (c)
• Matthew Breetzke
• Ryan Rickelton (wk)
• Wiaan Mulder
• Marco Jansen
• Simon Harmer
• Kagiso Rabada
• Anrich Nortje