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Five spin contenders for Sydney

A look at the leading spinners around the country ahead of the final Test of the summer

The prospect of a spinning Sydney Cricket Ground pitch and the heavy workload of Australia’s fast bowlers will likely see an additional spinner added to the squad for the third and final Test against Pakistan.

Allrounder Hilton Cartwright is looming as Australia’s next debutant should he replace Nic Maddinson at No.6 and provide an extra bowling option, while under-siege Nathan Lyon is expected to be paired with another tweaker for Sydney.

Lyon, who has taken just nine wickets at 66 this summer, averages 54 in five Tests at the SCG and has been asked to be more consistent by skipper Steve Smith.

Smith failed to guarantee Lyon’s spot in the starting XI for Sydney, deferring the question of his immediate playing future to the National Selection Panel.

Below are five spinners who could partner or potentially replace Lyon for the Sydney Test, excluding leading Sheffield Shield spinner Jon Holland, who is unavailable due to injury.

Steve O’Keefe - NSW

2016-17 Sheffield Shield stats: 2 matches, 11 wickets at 19.91

First-class record at the SCG: 17 matches, 51 wickets at 23

O’Keefe is the frontrunner to join the Australia squad. The left-arm spinner has played three Tests, including the Sydney Test against the West Indies last summer. O’Keefe partnered Lyon in the first Test in Sri Lanka this winter before injury ruled him out for the remainder of the series. Bad luck followed the 32-year-old when he injured his calf in the Shield match against Victoria on the eve of the revamped squad announcement for the final Test against the Proteas. Since then, O’Keefe has played three T20 matches for the Sydney Sixers in the KFC Big Bash League, with his durability the only doubt leading into Sydney.

O'Keefe's eight lifts Blues at SCG

Ashton Agar - WA

2016-17 Sheffield Shield stats: 4 matches, 16 wickets at 27.81

First-class record at the SCG: 1 match, 10 wickets at 14.10

The 23-year-old has the wickets on the board and has the momentum to boot after his last-ball heroics in the BBL last night. While Agar doesn’t have the experience O’Keefe boasts, his recent form at the SCG is outstanding. In his first appearance at the iconic venue in Shield cricket, the Western Australian captured 10-141 against the NSW Blues in the same match where O’Keefe claimed eight wickets. Smith said Lyon has found it difficult bowling to Pakistan’s plethora of right-handers, a challenge the left-arm orthodox Agar would enjoy. Agar, who made an unforgettable 98 on Test debut in 2013, is a capable batman having been batting in the top six for WA this season.

Agar collects 10 on spinners' paradise

Adam Zampa - SA

2016-17 Sheffield Shield stats: 3 matches, 9 wickets at 47.89

First-class record at the SCG: Yet to play

Australia’s premier limited-overs spinner has made every post a winner since making his international debut almost a year ago. While Zampa’s output with the white ball at the highest level has been exemplary – he is the leading ODI wicket-taker in with world in 2016 – the leg-spinner hasn’t converted that form to the four-day game on pitches that haven’t suited him. With an eye on the Test tour in February, Australia may want to get a look at the 24-year-old before they select the touring party for the subcontinent.

Zampa corrals Bulls with a bag of wickets

Mitchell Swepson - Qld

2016-17 Sheffield Shield stats: 4 matches, 10 wickets at 43

First-class record at the SCG: Yet to play

One of the boom young leg-spinners in Australia, Swepson would be an outside shot at earning a Test call-up. Unlike Zampa, who uses his variations to baffle batsmen, Swepson possess a roaring leg-break that spins on even the most benign surfaces. His four Shield matches this season have yielded only 10 wickets, but Swepson has been across the country and back, playing in Brisbane, Melbourne Townsville and Perth this season. At 23, the Queenslander has plenty of time left to develop, but it’s well known Australians love a leggie.

Swepson's four seals South Africa A's fate

Will Somerville - NSW

2016-17 Sheffield Shield stats: 2 matches, 11 wickets at 17.91

First-class record at the SCG: 2 matches, 13 wickets at 13.46

Somerville is the definition of a bolter, but a look at his numbers could justify squad selection. For starters, he’s had an excellent start to the Shield season, capturing 11 wickets in his two appearances for the Blues. Furthermore, Somerville’s record at the SCG is rock solid, with 13 wickets in two matches, including nine wickets against WA in Sydney this summer. Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Somerville’s family moved to Sydney when he was nine before he retuned across the ditch for a crack at elite level cricket. The tall right-arm off-spinner made his first-class debut for Otago in March 2005, but travelled back to Sydney to complete his studies. The 32-year-old has played six first-class matches for NSW and could be a smokey for the SCG.  

Somerville stars with nine wickets

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