Two spinners firm for first Test

Michael Clarke has left the door open for the possibility of Australia playing two spinners in the opening Test match in Dubai, raising the prospect that NSW left-arm tweaker Stephen O'Keefe could receive a Baggy Green.

Australia switches to red-ball mode with the squad having moved to Sharjah for tomorrow's four-day warm-up game against Pakistan A (play starts Wednesday 5pm AEDT) and Australia will look to frontline spinner Nathan Lyon to play a key role.

While Clarke admits he is no certainty to play himself, the skipper will speak to the selectors on duty – National Selection Panel chairman Rod Marsh and coach Darren Lehmann – to make his preferences known.

"If the wicket's going to spin I can see two spinners playing a part," said Clarke.

"I'll definitely talk to Rod Marsh and Darren Lehmann about that.

"We'll wait and see what the wicket's like in Dubai.

"The selectors always ask me for my opinion.

"I've got a great relationship with the selectors so I feel like I can be open and honest."

With three allrounders in Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner vying for a spot and "good pace options", Clarke is confident he has the weapons to take the 40 wickets needed to win two Tests.

"So far what I've seen on this tour is the wicket has been quite slow and spin has played a big part," said Clarke.

"I would imagine through the Test series that spin and reverse-swing are going to be the two biggest components.

"If you can have success whether you're bowling it or facing, that will go a long way to us winning the series."