Boland takes 2-5 on return as rain halts South Africa at 20/2 in Gqeberha Test
Synopsis
Scott Boland returned to Australia's Test XI and immediately struck twice in one over — removing Markram and Bedingham off consecutive deliveries — before rain washed out most of day one in Gqeberha. The bigger story may be Nathan Lyon's omission, the first time since 2013 the veteran spinner has been dropped from a red-ball Test when available.
Key Takeaways
Scott Boland took 2 for 5 on his return to the Australian Test side, removing Aiden Markram and David Bedingham off consecutive deliveries.
South Africa were 20/2 in 12.2 overs when persistent rain forced abandonment of day one at 4:15 pm at St George's Park, Gqeberha .
Play was disrupted from the start — the opening delayed by 90 minutes and only 5.3 overs bowled before an early lunch was taken.
Nathan Lyon was left out of the XI, the first time since 2013 he has been omitted from a red-ball Test when available.
Australia hold a 1-0 series lead after winning the first Test in Durban by 214 runs .
More bad weather is forecast, though the lost overs can be made up over the remaining days of the match.
Scott Boland claimed two wickets in a single over on his return to the Australian Test side before persistent rain curtailed day one of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George's Park, Gqeberha, on Sunday, 18 October 2026. The Proteas were left reeling at 20/2 in 12.2 overs when play was abandoned for the day at 4:15 pm, with more bad weather forecast in the coming days.
Boland's Decisive Double Strike
Boland, brought into the Australian XI in place of veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon as the tourists opted for an all-pace attack, wasted little time making his mark. After beginning his second over with a maiden — during which he also beat the edge of debutant Marques Ackerman — Boland got one to nip back sharply and clip Aiden Markram's inside edge into the middle stump. On the very next delivery, David Bedingham pushed away from his body at a ball outside off stump, and the thick edge was safely pouched in the cordon. Boland's figures read an imposing 2 for 5.
South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma survived the hat-trick ball — an inside edge onto his pad producing only muted appeals from the Australian slip cordon. Ackerman, playing in his first Test and notably having never opened in first-class cricket before, endured a testing introduction, remaining scoreless for 14 balls before a thick edge squeezed past gully.
Weather Disrupts Heavily from the Start
Rain was a constant antagonist throughout the day. The start was delayed by 90 minutes due to drizzle after Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first. Only 5.3 overs were bowled before another interruption forced an early lunch. Although play resumed briefly in the afternoon, persistent showers returned and umpires eventually called off the day at 4:15 pm. The lost overs can technically be recovered over the remaining days of the match, though forecasts suggest further weather disruptions are likely.
Lyon Left Out for First Time Since 2013
Perhaps the most striking selection call was the omission of Nathan Lyon, who had not been left out of a red-ball Test when available since 2013. It is worth noting that Lyon was also dropped from day-night Tests in Jamaica and Brisbane last year, a move that reportedly displeased him. With the regular spinner absent, Australia's spin duties will be shared among part-timers Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Marnus Labuschagne.
Team Changes and Series Context
South Africa recalled pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada in place of Keshav Maharaj but retained specialist spinner Simon Harmer. Matthew Breetzke also came into the side, with Ryan Rickelton deputising as wicketkeeper. Australia hold a 1-0 series lead, having won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs. With conditions expected to remain challenging, the remaining four days will be critical in determining whether the hosts can level the series.
Brief Scores: South Africa 20/2 in 12.2 overs (Aiden Markram 11; Scott Boland 2-5) vs Australia.
Point of View
But Lyon's omission is the real story. Leaving out Australia's most capped red-ball spinner — for the first time since 2013 when fit and available — signals a clear tactical gamble on pace conditions at St George's Park. If the pitch stays flat and spin becomes a factor later in the match, that call could look costly. South Africa, meanwhile, face a deeper challenge: with Rabada back but rain eating into their batting time, they need a recovery of the kind that rain-affected Tests rarely allow. Australia's 1-0 lead gives them a cushion, but a drawn result here could reset the series pressure entirely.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on day one of the Australia vs South Africa second Test in Gqeberha?
South Africa were bowled down to 20/2 in 12.2 overs before persistent rain forced the abandonment of play at 4:15 pm at St George's Park. Scott Boland took 2 for 5 in a dominant opening spell, removing Aiden Markram and David Bedingham off consecutive deliveries.
Why was Nathan Lyon left out of the Australian team?
Australia opted for an all-pace attack for the second Test, replacing Nathan Lyon with Scott Boland . It marked the first time since 2013 that Lyon had been excluded from a red-ball Test when available. Spin duties will be shared among part-timers Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Beau Webster, and Marnus Labuschagne.
What are the series standings between Australia and South Africa?
Australia lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Durban by 214 runs . The second and final Test is being played at St George's Park, Gqeberha .
Who is Marques Ackerman and why is his selection notable?
Marques Ackerman is a South African debutant who had never previously opened in first-class cricket before being handed the role in this Test. He survived a testing opening spell, remaining scoreless for 14 balls before edging past gully.
Can the lost overs from day one be recovered?
Yes, the lost overs are technically recoverable over the remaining days of the match. However, more bad weather is forecast for Gqeberha, which could further reduce playing time and complicate both teams' strategies.
