HAWKESBURY Cricket Club’s Stephen O’Keefe was picked to play his third test match for Australia yesterday.
The spinner was named alongside regular test spinner Nathan Lyon for Australia’s first test against Sri Lanka, which began yesterday in Kandy.
Two spinners was always on the cards for Australia in the spin friendly conditions the sub-continent offers, but O’Keefe put his hand up for the team by having a blinder in a warm-up match.
O’Keefe took 10 wickets in a three day match against the Sri Lankan Board XI, and also piled on 78 runs batting down the order.
Earlier this year, O’Keefe played well in a shortened test match against the West Indies in Australia.
He was given little opportunity because rain allowed for only three days but made the most of his opportunities.
Australia will play three test matches against Sri Lanka, and will also play five one-day internationals and two Twenty-20 matches after the tests on the tour, which will run into September.
