Australia’s selectors have had a golden run, but not even they could have predicted Josh Hazlewood would stumble across a dodgy dish in South Africa.
If they had, then there is every chance Nathan Lyon would have found himself in the XI for the second Test at St George’s Park.
For two rain-affected days, the decision to bring Scott Boland in for Lyon at St George’s Park was masterstroke as the seamer ran through South Africa’s top order.
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On Tuesday, Lyon’s absence was felt with Hazlewood unwell and Temba Bavuma rescuing the Proteas from 6-110 to 9(dec)-425.
Australia’s best bowler from Durban wasn’t able to bowl in the first session after being off the ground on Monday, and then battled his way through nine overs for the day.
In his absence, Beau Webster was asked to deliver the most overs of his Test career with 19, while the part-time spin of Matt Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne and Nic Maddinson sent down 15.
The quartet’s combined 34 overs returned 1-108, Labuschagne ending Simon Harmer’s 208-minute innings..
“Coming into the game you don’t know you’re going to be a man down, do you?” Mitchell Starc said after play.
“Beau bowled a lot more than he probably expected to and I thought he bowled quite nicely, he beat the bat quite a lot. He probably played that holding role.
“If you know you’re going to be a man down from the start, you’re probably going with a different make-up aren’t you?
“But unfortunately Josh had a dodgy prawn or something. He’ll have fresh legs for the second innings.”
Back in Australia, David Warner took to social media to voice his surprise at Renshaw bowling, asking where Lyon was.
“Can’t believe Matt Renshaw is now bowling. Where is Nathan Lyon?? All the kids around the world want to see a spinner,” Warner wrote with laughing emojis.
Lyon for what it’s worth, spent much of Tuesday’s play walking around the outside of the boundary rope.
He did it as the Proteas No.8 and No.9 in Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82) helped Bavuma pile on runs.
The last time he was dropped, at the Gabba in December, Lyon admitted during an in-play broadcast interview he was “filthy” about the decision.
“I’m not sure he’s doing any sideline reporting today,” Starc quipped.
“Everyone wants to play every game. Naturally get a bit disappointed when you don’t get put in the XI.
“He’s been around long enough to put his shoes back on and be the team man that he is.
“He’s been that man for most of the day today, whether it’s down at fine leg running us drinks or tapping us on the back.
“I’ve been left out plenty of times and naturally you’re disappointed that you don’t get to play. He’ll get another opportunity.”
