Published: Jul 22, 2016, 04:52 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 22, 2016, 04:52 PM (IST)
Australia‘s spin bowler, Steve O’Keefe could well feature in Australia’s lineup against Sri Lanka in the first Test match which begins July 26. O’Keefe after a fantastic outing against Sri Lankan XI and took 10 wickets in the match, while scoring an unbeaten 78 with the bat. If Australia decide to go in with two spinners in the first Test, O’Keefe could well find a place in the team alongside spinner Nathan Lyon. Darren Lehmann, Australia’s coach feels he compliments Lyon well and following a combination does work well. When asked about O’Keefe, Lehmann said, “He’s worked really hard. He’s a lively, buzzy character for us. And played exactly the role we want him to play over here in this game. We’ll go to Kandy and see what the wicket is like and make a call from there,” as quoted by Cricbuzz. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: Sri Lanka vs Australia , 1st Test match at Kandy
Lehmann added, “(O’Keefe) obviously complements Nathan well spinning it the other way,” Lehmann said. “We think that’s the way to go. Obviously India do it there with (Ravindra) Jadeja and (Ravichandran) Ashwin and most teams have spinners going both ways so for us that’s important.” READ: Sri Lanka announce inexperienced 15-man squad for 1st Test vs Australia
Meanwhile, Lehmann was also confident about David Warner returning to the squad for the first Test. Warner, had injured his finger during the tri-series in West Indies. He only faced slow bowlers in the nets while the team practiced. Although, Warner didn’t play in the practice matches, Lehmann is positive about him becoming a part of the team that faces Sri Lanka in Kandy.
Lehmann while addressing the media said, “We are preparing for him to play.”He’s been batting the last couple of days and I can’t see a problem. I haven’t really spoken to the medical staff, they usually come up to me if there is some sort of issue.”
