Australian captain Pat Cummins has won the toss once again and chosen to bowl under grey skies for the Second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha.
Unfortunately, with the ball and pitch expected to give plenty of assistance to the bowlers on the first morning, play has been delayed due to wet weather.
The Australian selectors have made just one change from the side that won the first Test in Durban, with Scott Boland coming in for veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon and Nic Maddinson set to open the batting once again with Travis Head.
“Partly conditions,” Cummins explained of the controversial decision to leave Lyon out.
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“Scotty has been incredible whenever he’s played for us, when there’s anything in the wicket he gets a lot of seam movement, and he’s super accurate,” he added.
Critically, winning the toss and sending South Africa in means Australia won’t have to bowl last without a specialist spinner, while it will also keep recalled South African danger man Kagiso Rabada away from the new ball on the opening morning.
Speaking on Fox Cricket before play, Australia’s Steve Smith said the Gqeberha pitch had plenty of grass and was a bit damp, declaring it could be ‘tricky for the batters early doors’.
With rain falling and the covers on the wicket, it’s unclear when play will begin.
Australia XI for Second Test vs. South Africa:
Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.