O'Keefe sidelined with broken finger

Australia's spin options for the Magellan Ashes have been dealt another blow with Steve O'Keefe suffering a broken finger during grade cricket on the weekend.

Left-armer O'Keefe broke a digit on his right hand, and is expected to miss up to six weeks of cricket, which encompasses the opening three rounds of the Sheffield Shield ahead of the Ashes opener at the Gabba from November 23. 

The Blues tweaker joins Ashton Agar and Jon Holland on the sidelines; Agar is recovering from surgery after breaking a finger during Australia's recent tour of India, while Holland underwent knee surgery for "wear and tear" and was subsequently ruled out of the JLT One-Day Cup. 

Image Id: D494DA4855C04E42B83175192CC375CA Image Caption: Ashton Agar shows off his damaged finger // Cricket.com.au

While Australia are all but certain to play three quicks and a spinner in Nathan Lyon at the Gabba, O'Keefe has been called into the squad in the previous two summers as a back-up option for Lyon for the day-night Adelaide Tests, with the 32-year-old boasting an impressive record with the pink ball. 

The left-arm orthodox spinner has also played the past two SCG Tests alongside Lyon, though with that match not scheduled until January 4, he is likely to have one or two Sheffield Shield matches and some KFC Big Bash fixtures (should he opt to play) to prove his fitness and form. 

Lyon was also ruled out of New South Wales' clash with Victoria on Sunday in the JLT One-Day Cup due to a sore shoulder, after landing on the joint in the field during Friday's match against Queensland. 

His absence however was only precautionary, and according to Cricket NSW there is no doubt about his involvement in the Blues' Shield opener on October 27 – a day-night clash against South Australia at Adelaide Oval. 

O'Keefe, who was suspended from the ongoing JLT Cup by CNSW following an alcohol-related incident in April, played Australia's most recent Test, against Bangladesh in Chittagong, having been named as a surprise replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood. 

Playing alongside the in-form Lyon, who took a career-best 13 wickets, he claimed two wickets in the second innings.

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

T20 trans-Tasman Tri-Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21