India, Oct. 19 -- For the second time in the last 12 months, Australia spinner Nathan Lyon was dropped from the Playing XI to accommodate a pacer. Lyon, who has taken more than 550 Test wickets, was dropped for the second South Africa-Australia Test at Gqeberha on Sunday. Scott Boland took his place and justified his inclusion with wickets off successful balls, leaving the Proteas reeling at 20/2 at stumps on a rain-hit opening day.

Last year during the Ashes, Lyon was dropped from the pink-ball second Test, and Michael Neser was brought in. The medium pacer ended up taking a five-for in the big win for the hosts. The way Boland cleaned up the seasoned Aiden Markram with an inswinger and then followed it up with an outswinger to have Dav...