Australia Drop Lyon for Boland in All-Pace Attack at Gqeberha

Australia left Nathan Lyon out of a red ball Test for the first time in 13 years on Sunday, naming Scott Boland in an all pace attack for the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha.

Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first after rain cleared in time for the toss on Sunday morning, cricket.com.au reported. The start of play was then delayed again by returning rain, and the day's session times were reset. Steve Smith told the host broadcaster the surface "looks a little bit greener than it did a couple of days ago" and that the grass "could be tricky early doors for the batters".

Australia XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.

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

Why Boland got the call

Cummins said at the toss that the change was "partly conditions", and added: "Scotty Boland has been incredible whenever he's played Test cricket. Feels like it's aligned this week." Boland has taken 82 wickets in 20 Tests at an average of 18.58, and Cummins said his seam movement and accuracy made him the right pick on a damp, grassy pitch.

Lyon, 38, has been left out of pink ball Tests twice in recent times, in Jamaica last year and at the Gabba during the Ashes series that followed. But Australia have not left him out of a day Test when fully fit since the 2013 Ashes, when he was recalled in place of Ashton Agar for the third Test of that series. Before play he was seen in running shoes rather than bowling spikes, shaking Boland's hand to congratulate him. Lyon said last year that he was "absolutely filthy" after being left out at the Gabba, AAP reported.

South Africa make their own spin call

The home side dropped a spinner too. Keshav Maharaj was left out, while Simon Harmer kept his place as the specialist spin option. Kagiso Rabada returned to lead the attack in his first match since May, ESPNcricinfo reported. Marques Ackerman was named to open the batting on his Test debut, a job he has never done in first class cricket.

What it means for the series

Australia lead the three match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Durban by 214 runs. Matthew Renshaw made 190 and 82 in that match, and Josh Hazlewood took six wickets in South Africa's second innings. South Africa need a win in Gqeberha to keep the series alive before the third Test, which starts on October 27. If the all pace call works on a green pitch, Australia can close out the series with a game to spare. If the surface flattens and dries, the absence of a frontline spinner will be the talking point of the week.