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Australia drops Nathan Lyon for second Test in Gqeberha, opts for all-seam attack

Scott Boland comes in as captain Pat Cummins wins the toss and bowls first on a grassy St George's Park pitch

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
Australia has made a bold selection call for the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha, dropping off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the first time in a red-ball match since 2013 and replacing him with pace bowler Scott Boland, as captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl on a grassy pitch under overcast conditions.

Steve Smith, speaking to Fox Cricket before play, noted the pitch looked greener than a couple of days ago and said it could be tricky for the batters early doors. He also remarked on the groundsman's unusual approach to not using hessian covers on the pitch to retain moisture. The covers were briefly back on the square before play, threatening a delay, but were later removed.

Australia retained the same batting order from their first Test win in Durban, with Travis Head and Nic Maddinson opening, Matt Renshaw at No.5, and Beau Webster keeping his place. The XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.

South Africa's XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.

According to reporter Daniel Brettig, about 10 minutes before the toss, Lyon had a brief chat with selection chair George Bailey and then walked over to give a handshake hug to Boland, who had been warming up with the other quicks. Lyon has been omitted from pink-ball Tests occasionally but had not been left out of a red-ball Test since the 2013 Ashes.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • This is a significant selection decision that breaks a long-standing pattern; dropping Lyon for a red-ball Test is a rare move.
  • The match could determine the series outcome after Australia's win in Durban.
  • The pitch and weather conditions may favour seam bowling, making the decision critical for the result.

Background

Australia won the first Test in Durban to take a 1-0 lead in the series. The second Test is being played at St George's Park in Gqeberha, where the pitch has been grassy and conditions overcast, prompting the selection of an extra seamer.

Key Perspectives

Australian selectors: Backing an all-seam attack on a pitch that offers assistance to pace bowlers, believing the conditions justify leaving out the spinner. South Africa: Will look to exploit any moisture and seam movement with their own pace attack, including Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, while Simon Harmer provides spin options. Critics: Dropping a proven spinner could backfire if the pitch dries out or becomes slower, or if the quicks tire on a hot day.

What to Watch

  • How the pitch behaves in the first session; whether the grass offers significant seam movement.
  • Rain interruptions: covers were on before play, and further delays could affect the match.
  • The performance of Scott Boland in his return to the Test side.

Sources

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.

Show each claim
  1. SupportedAustralia drops Nathan Lyon for second Test in GqeberhaBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Scott Boland has replaced Nathan Lyon for the second Test on a grassy pitch at St George's Park”
  2. SupportedAustralia opts for all-seam attackBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Australia XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.”
  3. SupportedScott Boland comes in as captain Pat Cummins wins the toss and bowls first on a grassy St George's Park pitchBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Australia have won the toss and will bowl first in the second Test. Scott Boland has replaced Nathan Lyon for the second Test on a grassy pitch at St George's Park”
  4. Supporteddropping off-spinner Nathan Lyon for the first time in a red-ball match since 2013Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the first time the spinner has been dropped when available to play a red ball Test since 2013”
  5. Supportedreplacing him with pace bowler Scott BolandBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Scott Boland has replaced Nathan Lyon”
  6. Supportedcaptain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl on a grassy pitch under overcast conditionsBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Australia have won the toss and will bowl first in the second Test. Scott Boland has replaced Nathan Lyon for the second Test on a grassy pitch at St George's Park”
  7. SupportedSteve Smith noted the pitch looked greener than a couple of days ago and said it could be tricky for the batters early doorsBrisbane Times - Latest News: “It looks probably a little bit greener than it did a couple of days ago. It could be tricky for the batters early doors.”
  8. SupportedHe remarked on the groundsman's unusual approach to not using hessian covers on the pitch to retain moistureBrisbane Times - Latest News: “I actually just spoke to the groundsman and asked, 'Do you use a hessian?' And he said, 'No, I do for morning games in one-day cricket, but I actually like to see a bit of moisture in the morning'.”
  9. SupportedThe covers were briefly back on the square before play, threatening a delay, but were later removedBrisbane Times - Latest News: “The covers are back on. Not ideal. They are covering the whole square. That would mean a delay to the start of play”
  10. SupportedAustralia retained the same batting order from their first Test win in Durban, with Travis Head and Nic Maddinson opening, Matt Renshaw at No.5, and Beau Webster keeping his placeBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Australia have retained the same batting order from their first Test win in Durban. Nic Maddinson and Travis Head stay at the top. Matt Renshaw remains at No.5 after his brilliant match. Beau Webster retains his place in the side.”
  11. SupportedAccording to reporter Daniel Brettig, about 10 minutes before the toss, Lyon had a brief chat with selection chair George Bailey and then walked over to give a handshake hug to Boland, who had been warming up with the other quicksBrisbane Times - Latest News: “About 10 minutes before the scheduled coin toss, Lyon had a brief chat with selection chair George Bailey and then walked over to give a handshake hug to Boland, who had been warming up with his fellow quick bowlers.”
  12. SupportedLyon has been omitted from pink-ball Tests occasionally but had not been left out of a red-ball Test since the 2013 AshesBrisbane Times - Latest News: “Lyon has been omitted from the team for pink ball matches on a few occasions... But he has always been picked for red ball matches going back to the 2013 Ashes”

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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