Australia v South Africa 3rd Test: Steve O’Keefe injury saves Nathan Lyon from Adelaide axe

ONLY a Steve O’Keefe calf injury appears to have saved Nathan Lyon from the Test axe in Adelaide.

Turning 29 on Sunday, it was a birthday present from the cricketing god’s that Lyon must now immediately cash in on against South Africa if he’s to dispel doubts over his form and confidence.

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Lyon has gone nearly 600 first-class deliveries now without a wicket, after last breaking through in the first innings of the first Test at the WACA.

Interim selection boss Trevor Hohns refused to confirm whether O’Keefe had been pencilled in as a certain starter for the third Test, but conceded he was “in serious contention.”

It’s hard to argue that Lyon might now be on his final chance, but Hohns is confident class will prevail for Australia’s most successful ever off-spinner.

“That’s a hypothetical question of course,” said Hohns when asked about whether Lyon was saved by O’Keefe’s chronic problems with soft tissue injuries.

“Stephen was in serious contention there’s no doubt.

“As far as Nathan Lyon being lucky, Nathan as we all know, has over 200 Test wickets, he’s our best off-spinner that we’ve had ever.

“It might not be that he’s not taking wickets at the moment, but there’s no indication that he’s bowling poorly.

“I’m sure if he continues to bowl well as we say in cricket, the wheel always turns.”

There is no question that Lyon has been a victim of Australia’s shocking batting collapses in recent times, and in many ways he was the true scapegoat of the disastrous Test thumping in Sri Lanka.

Lyon has struggled to build pressure with maidens and variation — admittedly on wickets not conducive to spin — but he must find a way to get South African scalps in this match, even though the jury is out on the turning ability of the pink ball.

O’Keefe’s calf strain is understood to be low grade and he shouldn’t be out for long, but Hohns said selectors were never prepared to risk a player who wasn’t 100 per cent fit.

It continues a terrible run of luck for O’Keefe who had to withdraw from the Sri Lanka Test tour in the winter due to a hamstring injury, and has missed matches this domestic season after damaging a finger.