O’Keefe likely to play on spinning SCG pitch

Australia coach Darren Lehmann has hinted that the Aussies might play two spinners in the final Test against the West Indies, starting in Sydney on Sunday, with Steve O'Keefe coming into the selection mix.
Seamer Peter Siddle is struggling with an ankle injury, and is a major doubt for a game that is effectively a dead rubber after the home team wrapped up the three-match series by winning in Melbourne on Tuesday.
Pacemen Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson will also be monitored after enduring heavy workloads at the MCG, with Scott Boland in the squad as fast bowling cover.
If O'Keefe does get the nod to play at his home ground, it will only be the 31 year-old's second cap in Test cricket after he made his debut against Pakistan in Dubai in October last year.
Lehmann said on cricket.com.au's post-game show Stumps: "Peter Siddle would be doubtful, I would think. We'll wait to see what happens with his ankle and the medicos there.
"We'll see how Josh Hazlewood pulls up; he's been a bit stiff and sore, as has James Pattinson so we're going to have to think of what we do there.
"We're more than likely to play two spinners with the way the (SCG) wicket has been spinning this year. But it depends – once we get there and assess conditions with the wicket and the weather.
"And we've obviously got Scott Boland with us now so we've got options there. We just have to make sure they're all 100 per cent fit to go. If they're not, we won't play them."
Latest
-
News
Andrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
News
Tributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
News
Cricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
News
Former Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.
-
News
Joe Root century checks Lancashire’s victory bid in Roses clash
Jack Leach took an eight-wicket match haul as Somerset claimed victory over neighbours Gloucestershire.
-
News
Surrey rewrite record books while Lancashire and Northamptonshire take control
Surrey equalled the first-class record for the number of players making half-centuries without passing three figures.
-
News
Brendon McCullum took England job for challenge of improving ‘rock bottom’ team
The ex-New Zealand skipper should, pending visa approvals, arrive in the UK in time to lead a three-Test series against his home country next month.
-
News
Keaton Jennings shines as Lancashire dominate Roses rivals Yorkshire
Jennings, Ben Stokes and Haseeb Hameed were all in excellent form with the bat in their respective matches.
-
News
Michael Atherton believes Brendon McCullum’s appointment could be inspired one
The 40-year-old New Zealander is renowned as one of the sport’s most progressive thinkers.