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O'Keefe replaced by Jon Holland for Sri Lanka series

Steve O'Keefe has been dropped. (AFP/ Marwan Naamani)
29th July, 2016
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After doing all the hard work to make it back into the Australian Test team, all-rounder Steve O’Keefe will have to watch from the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury.

O’Keefe injured his right hamstring when chasing a ball in the field on day three of the First test. It was a bitter pill to swallow for O’Keefe, who had impressed with two wickets in the first innings and a gritty 23 with the bat when the top order had failed.

“It is incredibly disappointing for Steve to get this injury and I really feel for him. He was bowling well in the Test and had caused some trouble to Sri Lanka’s top order,” selection chairman Rod Marsh said.

O’Keefe will remain in Kandy for the conclusion of the first Test, presumably in case he’s needed to hold down an end with the bat when Australia looks to chase down what looms as a big total in the fourth innings.

The team has confirmed he will then fly home for a thorough assessment and spin bowler Jon Holland will be added to the squad for the remainder of the series.

Selectors were restricted in who to pick with Ashton Agar also injured. 29-year-old Holland was, however rewarded after his eight wickets in the Sheffield Shield final.

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Holland had been in the Australia A squad, with his position to be filled by Glenn Maxwell.

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