Australia add three players to squad for historic day/night Test

Australia had to settle for a draw at the WACA

Australia have added three players to their current Test squad, for the third and final Test of the Trans-Tasman trophy, scheduled to played on 27th November. The additions include batsman Shaun Marsh, pacer James Pattinson and young spinner Steven O’Keefe, according to Cricket Australia.

Shaun Marsh was brought in the squad in place of batsman Usman Khawaja, who injured himself during fielding in the WACA Test. The batsman was reported to have pulled a hamstring and was ruled out of the series.

The second addition to the squad was pacer James Pattinson, who will take Mitchell Johnson’s place. Johnson surprised one and all when he announced that he would be hanging up his boots midway in the Test series.

However, the biggest surprise was the addition of spinner Steven O’Keefe, who hasn’t featured in many Tests previously. With his inclusion, Australia will look to bank on the advantage of playing an extra spinner in the squad, apart from Nathan Lyon.

Opted to include an extra spinner in squad: CA

Selector Rod Marsh said that O’Keefe had been on their radar for a while, and stated that the 30-year old was chosen due to unfamiliar conditions for the special Test match in Adelaide.

"Stephen(O’Keefe) was included in our squad that was to go to Bangladesh and if he should get an opportunity we think he will make the most of it. We have opted to include an extra spinner in the squad for Adelaide as we are unsure what conditions we will see there,” the selector said.

In the absence of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc will spearhead the Aussie bowling attack. Victorian pacer Peter Siddle may replace Josh Hazelwood in the playing XI and he will be supported by Pattinson.

The third and final match, scheduled to be played in Adelaide, is set to be a special occasion in the history of Test cricket, as it will be the first time that a day-night Test will be played in its 138-year old history. For the mammoth occasion, the new & tested pink ball will be used for the first time in international cricket.

Australia currently lead the 3-match series 1-0, after their win in the Gabba, and will look to seal the series in Adelaide. The final Test is slated to start from the 27th of November.