Steve Smith 'taken aback' by green Gqeberha pitch for 2nd Australia-SA Test
Synopsis
Steve Smith was visibly surprised by a green, moisture-laden pitch at St George’s Park — and even more so to learn no hessian cover had been used. Australia responded with a historic all-pace XI, dropping Nathan Lyon from a day Test for the first time since 2013. If the surface plays as advertised, it could define the entire match.
Key Takeaways
Steve Smith described the St George’s Park pitch in Gqeberha as green and damp ahead of the 2nd Test against South Africa .
Smith was surprised the groundsman did not use a hessian cover , saying ‘I don’t think I’ve seen that before.’ Australia won the toss and fielded an all-pace attack, bringing in Scott Boland for Nathan Lyon .
Nathan Lyon was omitted from a day Test for the first time since 2013 despite being available.
Smith noted rain in the forecast could limit spin’s traditional role at the venue, making pace the decisive factor.
Australia veteran Steve Smith admitted he was ‘taken aback’ after inspecting the pitch at St George’s Park in Gqeberha ahead of the second Test between Australia and South Africa, which gets underway on Sunday, 19 October 2025. The surface — noticeably green and carrying a ‘little bit of damp’ — raised eyebrows particularly after Smith learned the groundsman had not used a hessian cover to manage overnight moisture.
What Smith Saw at the Pitch
Speaking to presenter Mark Howard on Kayo Sports after the toss, Smith described the surface as carrying visible grass and unexpected dampness. “It looks to be a bit of grass on it, to be fair. Bit of grass, a little bit damp, actually,” Smith said ahead of the first ball.
His conversation with the groundsman added to his surprise. “I just actually spoke to the groundsman. I said, do you not use a hessian? And he’s like, nah, do for morning games in one-day cricket. But I actually like to see a little bit of moisture in the morning. So I was, yeah, taken aback by that. I don’t think I’ve seen that before,” the former Australia captain added.
Conditions Favour Pace, Not Spin
Smith suggested the conditions would benefit the pace bowlers far more than the spinners — an assessment that directly influenced Australia’s team selection. “Could be a handful. I’ve never played this time of year. When we’ve played in February, March, it’s end of the season. The square’s usually a lot drier. Wicket’s a bit drier and does take some spin,” he said.
He also pointed to the weather forecast as a factor. “With a bit of rain forecast for the next couple of days, it might not get as much foot traffic as well. So spin may not play as big a part as it traditionally does here. But we’ll wait and see,” Smith added.
Boland In, Lyon Out in a Historic Omission
Australia won the toss and made one notable change, bringing in pace bowler Scott Boland in place of off-spinner Nathan Lyon. The decision resulted in an all-four-pace attack for the visitors, who nonetheless have several part-time spin options within the XI.
Notably, this marks the first time Lyon has been omitted from a red-ball Test for Australia — when available — since 2013. The 36-year-old had previously been left out of pink-ball Tests in Jamaica and Brisbane in 2025, but those were day-night matches. His exclusion from a traditional day Test, for which he has been fit and available, had not occurred in over a decade, making this selection a significant moment in Australian Test cricket history.
What to Watch as the Test Unfolds
The green, damp surface at St George’s Park sets up a potentially riveting contest between Australia’s four-pronged pace battery and South Africa’s batters. Rain in the forecast could slow pitch deterioration, limiting spin even as the match progresses into the later days — the stage when Lyon’s absence might ordinarily be felt most acutely. Australia’s bold all-pace gamble will be closely scrutinised as the match develops.
Point of View
But dropping your premier spinner from a day Test for the first time in over a decade is a statement of intent. Australia are betting that a seaming surface plus four pacers is more reliable than a Lyon-led spin option on a wicket he may never get to exploit. If the pitch flattens out — as Gqeberha surfaces historically do post day one — that gamble could look costly by day four. Smith’s candid admission about the groundsmanship also raises questions about pitch preparation standards at international venues.
NationPress
18 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Steve Smith taken aback by the Gqeberha pitch?
Smith was surprised to find the pitch at St George’s Park visibly green and damp, and even more so after learning the groundsman had not used a hessian cover to manage moisture overnight. He said he had never seen that approach before at a Test venue.
Why did Australia drop Nathan Lyon for the 2nd Test?
Australia replaced Nathan Lyon with pace bowler Scott Boland after winning the toss, opting for an all-four-pace attack to exploit the green, damp conditions at Gqeberha. This was the first time Lyon had been left out of a day Test for Australia since 2013 when available.
What conditions does Steve Smith expect at St George’s Park?
Smith said the surface looked likely to assist pace bowlers, particularly early on given the grass cover and moisture. He also noted that forecast rain could reduce foot traffic on the pitch, potentially limiting the spin that Gqeberha traditionally offers in the later stages of a Test.
When did Nathan Lyon last miss a day Test for Australia?
Nathan Lyon last missed a day Test for Australia in 2013 when available and fit. He had been left out of pink-ball Tests in Jamaica and Brisbane in 2025, but exclusion from a traditional day Test had not happened in over a decade.
Who is Scott Boland and why was he selected?
Scott Boland is an Australian pace bowler known for his accuracy and ability to exploit seam-friendly conditions. He was brought into the XI in place of Nathan Lyon to complete an all-pace attack suited to the green, damp pitch at St George’s Park, Gqeberha.
