New injury continues O'Keefe's horror run

A calf injury to NSW Blues spinner Stephen O'Keefe has come at the worst possible time with Australia's third Test squad to be named on Sunday afternoon.

O'Keefe picked up a low-grade calf injury in the field on Saturday but will bat if required with the Blues still 351 runs behind Victoria with nine wickets in hand in their Sheffield Shield clash at the SCG.

The 31-year-old is a strong candidate for next Thursday's day-night Test in Adelaide against South Africa having taken 11 wickets with the pink ball at the same venue in the 2013-14 season.

As Nathan Lyon fights his way through a first-class wicket drought, O'Keefe is seen as the frontrunner to return to the Test arena after what has been a horror six months.

The left-arm orthodox spinner was an integral part of Australia's plans in Sri Lanka this winter, but in the second innings of the first Test in Pallekele he broke down with a hamstring injury chasing a ball in the field.

Upon returning to Australia he was fined $10,000 by Cricket Australia for "conduct unbecoming of a player" after a late-night incident at a Sydney hotel in August.

Since then O'Keefe hasn't touched a drop of alcohol, but the bad luck has continued to follow him.

Quick Single: Selectors set to usher in new era

Playing for Manly-Warringah in the first round of the Sydney Premier Cricket competition, O'Keefe broke his finger attempting a catch. It ruled him out of the Blues successful title defence of the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup.

Fully recovered, he returned for NSW in their Shield clash against Western Australia at the SCG earlier this month where he collected 5-65 in the first innings and finished with match figures of 8-106.

O'Keefe is expected to push teammate and Test incumbent Lyon for a berth in Adelaide after the off-spinner's difficult start to the international summer.

Lyon has taken 2-241 against South Africa in the first two matches of the Commonwealth Bank Test series, while it's been 97 overs since he last claimed a first-class dismissal.

Quick Single: Baggy Green Watch: Day three Shield wrap

Despite Lyon's rough trot, O'Keefe has backed the 59-Test veteran to retain his place in Adelaide.

"I still think the ball is coming out of his (Lyon's) hand really, really nicely," O'Keefe said on Thursday.

"I know other people may think otherwise, but he's still bowling beautifully.

"He's down a bit of luck but he's bowled at Perth and Hobart, which I don't think really offered him too much.

"Hopefully he can keep punching out the same stuff with a bit more luck and get a little bit more confidence heading into Adelaide."

International cricket is more affordable than ever this summer, with adult tickets from $30, kids from $10 and family packages from $65 across every day of international cricket. Price for purchase at match. Transaction fee from $6.95 applies to online and other purchases. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.