Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath’s success against Pakistan helped opened the door for Steve O’Keefe’s selection in Australia’s Test squad.
Uncapped duo O’Keefe and Mitchell Marsh were named on Monday in a 15-man squad for Australia’s two-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates starting on October 22.
Test and one-day international captain Michael Clarke, who suffered a hamstring injury in Zimbabwe, has been named in both squads but could be in doubt for the ODI series starting on October 7.
Australia’s chief selector Rod Marsh says 22-year-old Mitchell Marsh’s recent form has been encouraging, as Marsh’s selection panel ponders a suitable bowling line-up for the Test series.
“Herath’s about the same size as Steve O’Keefe,” Marsh told a media conference in Sydney.
Marsh says NSW tweaker O’Keefe, who led the wicket-takers in Sheffield Shield last summer with 41 victims, is not a big turner of the ball. But Marsh adds neither is Herath who boasts 260 Test scalps.
“Pakistan haven’t had a great record against left-arm orthodox spinners,” Marsh said.
O’Keefe is pushing for a possible Test debut alongside Australia’s No.1 spinner Nathan Lyon.
Marsh isn’t convinced the pitch for the first Test in Dubai will be a big turner.
“The Australian curator there Tony Hemming, he likes to see the ball fly,” Marsh said.
“Abu Dhabi, that might turn. But nothing drastic.
“If it’s a raging turner then O’Keefe has got every chance of getting a game.”
Exciting strokeplayer and off-spinner Glenn Maxwell has also been named in the Test squad.
Incumbent Alex Doolan and Phil Hughes are expected to battle it out for the crucial No.3 spot in the batting order.
Selectors named only three quicks; Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle could be vying for the one spot as new-ball partner for Mitchell Johnson if Australia choose to play two spinners in their side.
Allrounder Shane Watson might be called upon to play a key role with his seamers while Marsh’s pace-bowling skills could allow the youngster to make his debut as a second allrounder alongside Watson, Johnson and two slow bowlers.
“You can fit more than one allrounder in a Test team, yes,” Marsh said.
“We’ll have to wait on conditions and form and we’ll see what happens.”
Test squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Alex Doolan, Phillip Hughes, Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Steve O’Keefe, Mitchell Johnson, Chris Rogers, Peter Siddle, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.
ODI squad: Michael Clarke (capt), Sean Abbott, George Bailey, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brad Haddin, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Johnson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.
T20 squad: Aaron Finch (capt), Sean Abbott, Cameron Boyce, Pat Cummins, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Shane Watson.
