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 Nathan Lyon from the match.

"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.

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