O’Keefe likely to play on spinning SCG pitch

Australia

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."

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