Stephen O'Keefe has produced a handy double a week out from the start of Australia's Test series against Sri Lanka, strengthening his case for a call-up in Kandy.
O'Keefe was 62 not out in Australia's total of 9-431 at stumps on day two of the three-day tour match against a Sri Lankan Board XI in Colombo on Tuesday.
The solid 112-ball knock came a day after the left-arm finger spinner was the chief destroyer with the ball, snaring 5-43 as the home side were skittled for 229 at P Sara Stadium.
With Australia a good chance to pick two spinners on the spin-friendly Sri Lankan Test tracks, O'Keefe's contributions with bat and ball came at the perfect time.
While his main role - if chosen to play just his third Test - would naturally be to get the most out of the turning wickets alongside right-armer Nathan Lyon, O'Keefe's ability with the bat makes him a useful proposition at No.8 in the order.
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Australia coach Darren Lehmann would've been pleased that all of his top-six batsmen got themselves in against the Sri Lankan Board XI but not so impressed that no one pushed on to make a big score.
Opener Joe Burns led the way with 72 while skipper Steve Smith made 57 before he was out lbw to left-arm orthodox spinner Chaturanga de Silva.
Adam Voges (43), Usman Khawaja (31) and Mitch Marsh (25) all got decent time at the crease as did Shaun Marsh (47) who is ready to go for the first Test in Kandy starting next Tuesday if David Warner fails to recover in time from a broken finger.
Wicketkeeper Peter Nevill made a patient 25 while in contrast, Mitchell Starc smacked 45 from just 48 balls.
Australia ground out just 66 runs in the opening session, advancing watchfully to 3-193 from their day-one stumps score of 1-127.
Burns added just eight runs to his overnight score in the first 45 minutes of the day before being bowled by opening bowler Vimukthi Perera while Khawaja followed him soon after when he was caught behind.
The Sri Lankan Board XI used nine bowlers, with right-arm offspinner Shehan Jayasuriya the best with figures of 5-109.
