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Australia drop their veteran spinner Nathan Lyon again from their playing XI. It has been the third time in the last 14 months that the Australia National Cricket Team excludes the spinner from its playing combination.
The omission comes at a point when the Aussies face defending champions South Africa National Cricket Team for a crucial match in the ongoing cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Previously, during the matches in Jamaica and Brisbane, in the recent past, the Australian team management dropped Nathan Lyon.
Scott Boland in, Nathan Lyon out of Australia's playing XI vs South Africa
Lyon, who used to be an undisputed member of the team, is now struggling to find a permanent spot in the team. Dropping him could be part of Australia's long-term strategy as he is now 38, and the team is slowly but surely entering into a transition phase.
At the toss, captain Pat Cummins, however, mentioned that the inclusion of the fast bowler Scott Boland in place of Lyon is because of the playing conditions at St George's Park in Gqeberha.
Pat Cummins explains why they drop Nathan Lyon
The second Test match of the ongoing series against South Africa has started under overcast conditions, and the Australian camp wants to utilize the conditions well by adding extra pace in their bowling arsenal.
"Yeah, just one change. Nathan Lyon comes out, and Scotty Boland comes in. I think partly conditions, and Scotty Boland has been incredible whenever he's played Test cricket. So felt like it aligned this week and was the right time to insert him," Australia captain Pat Cummins explains why they left out Lyon from the match.
Australia has named an all-seamer bowling combination
About the change, Cummins further explains that whenever the conditions were favorable, Scott Boland delivered well for the team with his accuracy, control and pace. Additionally, the pacer is capable of doing long spells for the team when it is required. According to the skipper, Scott Boland is a whole package for them.
"When there's anything in the wicket, he gets a lot of seam movement, is super accurate, and then even if it does flatten out, he brings that control and experience. He can bowl bulk overs. So, he's the whole package," he added.
As Bolan joins the playing XI, Australia has named their playing combination against South Africa in this match without any regular spinner in their attack. Alongside Boland and Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Beau Webster are the other three seamers in their line-up.
Nathan Lyon's performance in Durban
Australia, in the previous match in the series against the hosts, South Africa, got a massive 214-run victory. Nathan Lyon played a crucial role in the match by claiming a brace in the first innings and adding a few runs with his batting as well.
In Durban, the spinner remained without any wickets in the second innings but got a pair of scalps in the first. With the bat, he scored 27 off 92 as their No.10 batter.
