Australia drop Lyon with Boland named in all-seam attack

Australia have dropped Nathan Lyon for a red-ball Test for the first time in 13 years after Scott Boland was picked in an all-pace attack under leaden Gqeberha skies.

Pat Cummins opted to bowl first after rain cleared in time for the second Test's toss on Sunday morning with the Aussies looking to exploit a surface tipped to be tricky for batters.

Australia XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood

 

South Africa 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

Lyon has twice been left out for pink-ball Tests in recent times, in Jamaica last year and then at the Gabba during the ensuing Ashes series. Australia have also played all-seam attacks when he has been injured.

But not since the 2013 Ashes have they left the off-spinner out in a day Test when he has been fully fit. His place has increasingly been up for review though, particularly given Boland's incredible Test record of 82 wickets at 18.58.

Lyon was wearing running shoes (not his bowling spikes) and cut something of a forlorn figure before play, congratulating Boland on his inclusion with a handshake.

Steve Smith told the host broadcaster that the surface "looks a little bit greener than it did a couple of days ago" and that the "grass looks to be standing up a little bit more - it could be tricky early doors for the batters".

The visitors otherwise made no adjustments to batting unit after their 214-run in Durban's first Test to give them a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.  

South Africa meanwhile made their own big call on a frontline spinner in Keshav Maharaj, dropping him but keeping Simon Harmer in an XI that also sees Kagiso Rabada back to play his first match since May.

With Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verryenne dropped, Marques Ackerman has been named to make his Test debut. His first assignment is as tough as they come, named to open the batting for the first time in first-class cricket against Australia's star seamers.

Ryan Rickelton has taken the gloves in Verryenne's absence and dropped down the order to No.6, with Matthew Breetzke coming into the middle-order. Rabada in for Maharaj is their only other change. 

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First Test: Australia won by 214 runs

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

South Africa squad for second Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster