Spinner Steve O’Keefe, and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh could make their Test debuts after being named on Monday in Australia’s squad for next month’s series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Left-armer O’Keefe, 29, was one of three spinners included for a tour expected to be played on slow pitches, and could be the 14th spinner to feature in Tests for Australia since the retirement of Shane Warne in 2007. Among other notable selections were all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and the return of batsman Phil Hughes.
O’Keefe has been long overlooked by Test selectors despite success at domestic first-class level and topped the Sheffield Shield’s wicket tally last season with 41 at 20.43. Incumbent off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has taken 112 wickets in 33 Tests at 32.99, is expected to be the front-line spinner during the tour with Maxwell offering support. Marsh, 22, younger brother of Test batsman Shaun Marsh, gets his chance following an explosive unbeaten 86 off 69 balls with seven sixes in a one-dayer against South Africa in Harare this month.
Selectors named only three fast-bowlers, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle, in the Test squad for the anticipated spin-friendly pitches. Captain Michael Clarke (hamstring) and allrounder Shane Watson (ankle ligaments) were also included ahead of fitness tests, having been ruled out of the recent one-day tour of Zimbabwe.
Australia will also play three ODIs and a T20 against Pakistan. Aaron Finch, who tops the Twenty20 international batting rankings, was named as the new Twenty20 captain after George Bailey stood down to focus on the one-day World Cup.
Squads Test: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Alex Doolan, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Brad Haddin, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe.
ODI: 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: 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.
Left-armer O’Keefe, 29, was one of three spinners included for a tour expected to be played on slow pitches, and could be the 14th spinner to feature in Tests for Australia since the retirement of Shane Warne in 2007. Among other notable selections were all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and the return of batsman Phil Hughes.
O’Keefe has been long overlooked by Test selectors despite success at domestic first-class level and topped the Sheffield Shield’s wicket tally last season with 41 at 20.43. Incumbent off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who has taken 112 wickets in 33 Tests at 32.99, is expected to be the front-line spinner during the tour with Maxwell offering support. Marsh, 22, younger brother of Test batsman Shaun Marsh, gets his chance following an explosive unbeaten 86 off 69 balls with seven sixes in a one-dayer against South Africa in Harare this month.
Selectors named only three fast-bowlers, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle, in the Test squad for the anticipated spin-friendly pitches. Captain Michael Clarke (hamstring) and allrounder Shane Watson (ankle ligaments) were also included ahead of fitness tests, having been ruled out of the recent one-day tour of Zimbabwe.
Australia will also play three ODIs and a T20 against Pakistan. Aaron Finch, who tops the Twenty20 international batting rankings, was named as the new Twenty20 captain after George Bailey stood down to focus on the one-day World Cup.
Squads Test: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Alex Doolan, Michael Clarke (capt), Steven Smith, Shane Watson, Phillip Hughes, Brad Haddin, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe.
ODI: 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: 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.