Australia have left Nathan Lyon out of their side for the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park, Gqeberha, picking Scott Boland in an attack without a specialist spinner. The move was confirmed on Sunday morning, 18 October 2026, and Lyon was the first to shake Boland's hand, according to cricket.com.au.
What Was Announced
George Bailey's selection panel dropped Lyon, who has 573 Test wickets, at full fitness and after a 214-run win in the first Test in Durban. The decision breaks up the Cummins-Starc-Hazlewood-Lyon quartet, who have taken 607 Test wickets together.
Pat Cummins inserted South Africa on the first day, and Boland made an immediate impact in a 20-ball burst before rain ended play. He bowled Aiden Markram with his fourth ball and then had David Bedingham caught behind.
Australia have now gone without a specialist spinner in five of their last 10 Tests, with Lyon fit for all but two of those, cricket.com.au reported.
Australia's Test squad for the tour:
- 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
What It Means
Australia lead the three-Test series after their win in Durban. The second Test runs from 18 to 22 October at St George's Park, and the third Test is scheduled for 27 to 31 October at Newlands, Cape Town.
Source: Cricket Australia report.