Lyon appreciates O’Keefe alliance

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Spinner Nathan Lyon is eager to forge a solid working relationship with the inexperienced Steve O’Keefe, as Australia embark on a challenging Test series against Pakistan this month.

Lyon and O’Keefe bowling in tandem for extended periods during this week’s tour fixture against Pakistan A at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium – and are likely to be named in the playing XI for the series opener in Dubai.

“Spin to win, I think. O’Keefe is really putting is hand up for selection and if the selectors go for two spinners, he and I have experience at New South Wales, we’ve won the Sheffield Shield together. It has been working well together, we bounce information off each other,” said Lyon.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity if that chance arises of two spinners in Australian Test team then. I know there has been a drought with Australia not playing two spinners but we are looking forward to that challenge and were up for breaking that drought.”

While Pakistan’s bowling attack has been weakened by the absence of the banned Saeed Ajmal and injured Junaid Khan, the recall of opener Taufeeq Umar and all-rounder Mohamamad Hafeez’s recovery from injury will bring aggression to the batting order.

“It’s perfect if they’re going to come at us. It’s going to be a totally different pitch in Dubai. This pitch is not the best cricket wicket we’ve ever played on. It’s a bit dead and a bit dull,” added Lyon.

“That’s the surface they’ve produced so we have to combat that. But it’s going to be a different story come Dubai and it’s going to be a different story if they want to take the game on.”

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