I'm a pink-ball specialist, says O'Keefe

Steve O'Keefe's pink-ball form has resulted in a recall to Australia's squad for the historic day-night Test against New Zealand at Adelaide Oval.

Australian cricketer Steve O'Keefe

Steve O'Keefe is the surprise inclusion in Australia's squad for the inaugural day-night Test. (AAP)

The inaugural day-night Test is yet to start but already the pink ball has been a game changer for Steve O'Keefe.

O'Keefe was the surprise inclusion in Australia's 13-man squad announced on Wednesday for the historic match against New Zealand, with Shaun Marsh and James Pattinson also recalled.

The left-arm tweaker boasts pink-ball expertise, having taken 11 wickets in a day-night Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval in 2014.

Darren Lehmann suggested selectors are seriously considering unleashing dual spinners for the match starting on November 27 at the same venue.

Lehmann added that O'Keefe's first-class form under lights at the venue - 18 wickets at an average of 18.22 - helped his case.

"The advantage we have is NSW played there and basically most of the Test players played there in the day-night Shield game," Lehmann said.

"His record in Shield cricket - he continues to rack up the numbers.

"We'll wait until we see the wicket ... but we're seriously looking at it."

O'Keefe made his Test debut against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates last year and has remained on the radar of Rod Marsh's panel since.

"I have certainly had success with the pink ball and the selectors have noticed that," O'Keefe said in Sydney.

"It is safe to call me that (a pink-ball specialist).

"At times the seam can be hard to pick up as a spinner ... generally spinners have done well with that pink ball.

"I enjoy playing on that Adelaide wicket, even with the red ball."

Fit-again Pattinson, who is in line to play his first Test since March 2014, also hasn't been forgotten by selectors.

However, Lehmann suggested Peter Siddle was the frontrunner to replaced retired express paceman Mitchell Johnson.

"You would think so," Lehmann said of the Victorian named 12th man for the first and second Tests.

There could be more than one change to the pace attack, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood both understandably sore after NZ's mammoth total of 624 in Perth.

Starc sent down 37 overs in that innings, the most he's ever bowled in a Test innings.

Hazlewood bowled a total of 38 overs in the WACA clash.

"They're all a bit sore, so we'll wait until we get to Adelaide," Lehmann said.

"We've got four days off now and we'll sum that up in the next couple of days."

Marsh will take hamstrung batsman Usman Khawaja's place in the XI, with selectors overlooking Cameron Bancroft and Michael Klinger.

"There's been a lot of speculation about Bancroft and Klinger - and they're both very unlucky," Lehmann said.

Shaun's brother Mitch Marsh remains in the side, but his place is far from assured due to a lack of runs.

"We'll have to wait and see," Lehmann said.

"You need to perform at No.6.

"His bowling is no dramas at all ... but we want him to put some more runs on the board, definitely."

O'KEEFE'S PINK-BALL PERFORMANCES IN ADELAIDE

*0-16, 2-60 in Oct, 2015

*0-69, 5-24 in Nov, 2014

*5-89, 6-70 in March, 2014


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Source: AAP



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