Australia name 15-man squad for Test series in Sri Lanka
Tuesday 24 May 2016 10:07, UK
Stephen O'Keefe and Nathan Coulter-Nile have been named in Australia's squad for this summer's Test series in Sri Lanka.
O'Keefe has been recalled as a second spinning option, while Coulter-Nile will hope to make his Test debut in the opening fixture which starts at Pallekele on July 26.
Left-arm orthodox O'Keefe, 31, could offer back-up to Nathan Lyon if Australia go into the three-match series with two spinners.
The 28-year-old Coulter-Nile, who has recently overcome a shoulder injury, has already played 13 ODIs and 17 T20 games for Australia since 2013.
The 15-man squad includes Mitchell Starc who returns following ankle surgery, although bowlers Peter Siddle and James Pattinson are unavailable due to injury. Also in the party is all-rounder Moises Henriques, who has three Test appearances to his name.
The series follows Australia's tour of the Caribbean, where they will contest a limited-overs tri-series against the West Indies and South Africa.
Australia selector Rodney Marsh said: "Henriques comes into the squad to give the flexibility of an additional all-rounder option, having already shown he plays and adapts well to spin-friendly conditions.
"Jackson Bird and Nathan Coulter-Nile join the squad and will give us good control and pace."
The batting order retains the same players involved in most of the domestic Tests last season.
Squad: Steve Smith (c), David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Moises Henriques, Peter Nevill, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Stephen O'Keefe, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jackson Bird
