The career of Australia's greatest finger-spinner of all time Nathan Lyon is at the crossroads.
A stalwart during the reigns of Michael Clarke and Steve Smith, Lyon's hold on his place in the side is loosening with every spell.
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Lyon is down on wickets and low in confidence – and could even be out of time after another trying day at Bellerive Oval on Monday.
Australian coach Darren Lehmann expected Lyon to lift but Australia's premier spinner was treated with disdain by Quinton de Kock, who batted South Africa into an imposing position with a sparkling century.
Lyon, who returned 0-57 from 17 overs, will need major improvement in the second innings to lock down his place for the third Test, but given Australia's travails with the bat, that opportunity may not come.
Lyon's chances of touring India next year are also in peril given his modest record on the subcontinent, particularly if selectors carry through with cricket boss Pat Howard's vow of a horses-for-courses policy. He has not missed a Test tour since his debut in 2011.
Lyon's slump is a massive fall from a player who less than 18 months ago became the most prolific wicket-taking finger-spinner in Australia's history.
The 28-year-old has copped some rough calls over the years from selectors, usually abroad, but this time they have good reason to consider dumping the out-of-form offie.
![No joy: Nathan Lyon appeals unsuccessfully for the wicket of Temba Bavuma during the second Test.](/web/20161115054244im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/s/p/4/2/f/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gsoyop.png/1479107475901.jpg)
After an ordinary tour of Sri Lanka, many expected Lyon to bounce back on home soil, where the bouncier conditions better suit his style, but that has not happened.
He turned in career-worst figures in Perth and was wicketless again in South Africa's first innings in Hobart. He has only two wickets at 120.5 this series.
Despite his poor returns, he is likely to be picked in the squad for the third Test when it is announced later this week, but if last year is a guide will be joined by a second spinner.
Stephen O'Keefe, Lyon's back up the past two years, Ashton Agar and Jon Holland are all in the frame for selection. The trio of left-armers all performed well in the last round of the Sheffield Shield. Whoever gets the nod could well come into the XI at Lyon's expense. He would become Australia's fourth change this series if that was to happen.
Lyon paid the price for the sins of the batsmen in the first Test and is doing so again here, bowling on a pitch offering little turn with nothing on the scoreboard to defend or build pressure.
That has enabled the Proteas batsmen to fearlessly attack Lyon – a tactic that international batsmen have deployed with success against him. De Kock scored freely off Lyon though was given a break by Peter Nevill, who missed a stumping opportunity, when on 72.
Lyon thrived in the confidence Clarke showed in him but Smith does not appear to have the same faith.
Claims he has fallen out with the captain are false – the pair remain close off the field – but Smith's trust in the spinner is diminishing.
It was evident in Sri Lanka when he, and Lehmann, publicly criticised Lyon, and again in the first Test when he persisted with the reverse swing of his quicks over his spinner.
However, Lyon is the most experienced member in the side and more is expected from a senior player – even if he does not hold an official leadership position.