There was a brief period of time where the discontent evaporated, and the Australian selectors and fans alike seemed relaxed with the choice of Nathan Lyon as the Test spinner.
It was a brief oasis of time, as the contentious void left in the post Shane Warne apocalypse seemed filled.
After scalping a five-for on debut, things seemed positive. But the calm would only last as long as Lyon continued to pillage wickets.
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With only the one spot up for grabs there would always be pressure. The yardstick that Australians measure their spinner has been a tall order of late.
And so it seems, now Lyon’s spot is back in contention. To be honest, fair enough. The last 12 months have seen rather meagre returns. He has played second fiddle to a stellar pace attack on quick wickets, and failed to adapt to pitches where the Aussies needed him to punch through the middle order.
My confusion, though, is how has Stephen O’Keefe been omitted from the Test Team for the Adelaide Test? At this moment, there is no spinner more warranted of a place than he. No spinner has taken more wickets in Australia over the last two years. Word.
Besides being the leading spin-scalper of the last two years, only Chad Sayers is ahead of him in Shield wickets over the past 24 months. The Australian selectors continually make points on saying that form is the key to inclusion. Perhaps they’re using different locks…
We know that Australian pitches are a challenging place for spinners, particularly finger spinners. With that in mind it honestly baffles me why we don’t look to our most consistent performer when making the selection.
O’Keefe and Lyon have had two matches of late where they’ve gone head to head. Both in Dubai, wearing the baggy green, and in the Shield match at Brisbane, they bowled alongside one another in the same conditions, against the same opposition. The count, six wickets to three, advantage Steven O’Keefe. Not great returns for either, but one-sided for sure.
His slow, left-arm orthodox bowling is also the perfect foil to the Indian batting line up. With the exception of Shikhar Dhawan, they’re all right handed batsmen who would be less comfortable with the ball spinning away from them. It shouldn’t be the reason for selecting O’Keefe, but it’s definitely an added perk.
Warning: I am liable to go postal should people continue to throw out ridiculous ‘hail-Mary’ spin inclusions, this really is a two-horse race at the moment.
Cameron Boyce, James Muirhead and Adam Zampa are all quality, upcoming leggies. However, throwing in these inexperienced and undercooked youngsters is the exact mentality that has seen a record number of debutants over the last five years.
Boyce seems to be the favoured one among roughie gamblers, but while I’m sure he’ll come good, his first class returns just don’t provide enough proof that he has what it takes at this stage in the longer format of the game. Reward those who take the wickets.
That reward should go to O’Keefe. I only hope that Santa and Rod Marsh have received the letters I wrote.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
I agree that the encumbent deserves a good crack. But he's been poor of late, and that line shouldnt save you when another player has been pickign up wickets consistently.
jammel
Guest
Moderated.
Shortfineleg
Guest
Moderated. Again, no need.
jammel
Guest
In my opinion, O'Keefe should probably have been tried before Lyon (or at least after the Adelaide fifth day shamozzle…). But Lyon's the incumbent. O'Keefe will need two things to align to get a proper go: plenty of wickets in the Shield _this_ season (i.e. not what he's done in the past); and Lyon not delivering. Lyon's definitely under pressure - more pressure now than previously in his career. But Lyon has a good record - better than or on a par with the likes of Tim May, Peter Taylor and Greg Matthews. And in front of many of the other off spinners we've tried. So he has some time.
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Haha, maybe sell it a little harder next time. I'll admit I was a little skiddish when I saw your comment cause I've seen a couple like that on these forums, and that thought pattern scares me.
Tristan
Guest
Whoosh, over the heads it goes.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
jeez people cant read sarcasm that's quite obvious. I am just making fun of the ridiculous standards O'Keefe is being kept to while the "learning" Lyon can fail endlessly and still be picked
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
I'm not saying O'Keefe is the answer to Australia's spin problems or that he's even up to test standard, but he has only been given a single test, played in foreign conditions. Forget extended run, it was a single test. And while he didn't rip through the opposition, he actually finished the test with more wickets than any of the other Australian bowlers. So he's hardly "had his chance"! Such a comment simply gives you away as one of those irrational O'Keefe haters who just doesn't want to let the facts get in the way of hating on the player. Based on that, Shane Warne should never have got a second test. After all, he didn't look anything like taking the necessary 20 wickets in his debut, in fact he could only come up with 1!
jameswm
Guest
One test?
Mitch
Guest
Yea, where as lyon only took 3 for the series. At an average of 100+
Gareth Kidd
Roar Guru
Yes, on a pitch where Nathan Lyon looked even less threatening. It's also great to know that 'his chance' included just a solitary Test. Ridiculous sentiment.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
O'Keefe had his chance. He didn't even look like taking the necessary 20 wickets to win the game. He could only come up with 4.