Sri Lanka underlined Pakistan’s weakness against left-arm spin that Australia’s latest Test squad call-up is keen to exploit
If Stephen O’Keefe is handed his first Test cap in the UAE, he need look no further than Sri Lanka spinner Rangana Herath for a blueprint on how to undo Pakistan’s batsmen.
Herath took 23 wickets in the series against Pakistan in Sri Lanka last month, a world record for a two-Test series.
Quick Single: Herath makes history against Pakistan
The 36-year-old, rated the No.3 Test bowler in the world, used variations in pace and flight instead of vicious turn to repeatedly rip through a Pakistan batting order that consisted almost exclusively of right-handers.
O’Keefe, like Herath, is a left-arm orthodox spinner and National Selector Rod Marsh said the 29-year-old’s style of bowling was a key factor in his selection for Australia’s upcoming two-Test series.
Quick Single: Marsh, O’Keefe in Test squad for UAE
“Pakistan haven’t had a great record against left-arm orthodox spinners,” Marsh said.
“Herath is not a big turner of the ball; Stephen O’Keefe’s not a big turner of the ball.
“They both rely on accuracy rather than huge amounts of turn.
“That’s another reason he was chosen.”
One man who witnessed Herath terrorise Pakistan up close was former Test batsman Dean Jones, who was in Sri Lanka for the series as a commentator.
Speaking to cricket.com.au last week before Australia’s squad was announced, Jones said Herath provided the lead for Australia to follow.
“You can’t ignore the fact that Herath has just taken 23 wickets and he’s not a huge turner of the ball,” Jones said.
“Obviously, (Pakistan) have got problems against spin.
“Do (Australia) go in with two spinners and two quicks, or three quicks? I think they have to (go with two spinners).”
I wonder if O’Keefe would have been picked if Herath didn’t get as many wickets against Pakistan last month?
— Dean Jones (@ProfDeano) September 8, 2014
With just three frontline seamers in the squad, along with fast-bowling allrounders Shane Watson and Mitchell Marsh, the door is open for Australia to pick O’Keefe and number one spinner Nathan Lyon in the same side.
Adding to O’Keefe’s case for a debut is the fact that he turns the ball in the opposite direction to Lyon, an off-spinner.
Along with the part-time leg-spin of Steve Smith, that would give skipper Michael Clarke three varied spin options to turn to on pitches that are expected to favour the slower bowlers.
And given Pakistan are set to pick a team consisting mainly of right-handed batsmen – only one of the 12 players they used against Sri Lanka batted left-handed – O’Keefe’s ability to turn the ball away from the batsman could prove critical.
Marsh said conditions in the UAE would ultimately determine the make-up of the XI, adding he was confident that the mix of three fast bowlers, two spinners and three allrounders (Watson, Marsh and Glenn Maxwell) means the Aussies are prepared for any scenario.
While O’Keefe wouldn’t be drawn on his chances of getting picked in the XI, he said he was confident he and Lyon could complement each other well.
And he added that Herath had provided the perfect example for any left-arm orthodox spinner to follow.
