Former Test spinner Stephen O’Keefe backs Matt Kuhnemann to play in Sri Lanka Test series

Former Test spinner Steve O’Keefe has urged Australia to be bold and give Matt Kuhnemann the thumbs up for the first Test at Sri Lanka even though the bowler’s own thumb required surgery.

Former Test spinner Steve O’Keefe has urged Australia to be bold and give Matt Kuhnemann the thumbs up even though the bowler’s own thumb required surgery last week.

Left-arm spinner Kuhnemann had surgery on his right thumb on Friday morning after being struck in the Big Bash the night before.

He initially appeared no chance of joining his teammates on the tour of Sri Lanka but his condition has improved and he is likely to join the Test squad in Galle where his ability to function despite the injury to his non-bowling hand would be assessed before Wednesday’s first Test.

O’Keefe feels Kuhnemann’s style will be perfectly suited to the traditionally turning Galle deck and believes the prospect of the youngster being limited as a batsman or fieldsman should not stop Australia teaming him with Nathan Lyon.

Matt Kuhnemann is racing the clock to prove his fitness for the first Test in Sri Lanka. Picture: Steve Pohlner

O’Keefe particularly likes Kuhnemann’s prospects in Sri Lanka because his “square seam’’ spinning style – similar to Sri Lanka’s former champion left-armer Rangana Herath – leaves batsmen unsure whether the ball will turn or rush straight on. 

“The way he bowls is suited to Sri Lanka and he can bowl quicker which is so important on slow wickets – he can get the ball up over 100kph,’’ O’Keefe told this masthead.

“I remember when I was over there in 2016, Steve Smith constantly telling me ‘bowl quicker’.

“What he was saying was lock them on the crease. Give them less time to go down the wicket. He (Kuhnemann) can do that.

“He is also an excellent bowler to left-handers and has had a solid season with Tassie which is hard to do (on Hobart decks).’’

Matthew Kuhnemann played for the Heat in the BBL. Picture: Getty Images

O’Keefe added on SEN’s Sportsday: “I would be willing to make the trade-off of him being 75 per cent fit as a fielder to what he can produce as a bowler in those conditions.

“Given all of that and his experience already in subcontinental conditions I would go with him. He’s tough. The finger may require just a stitch and a jab and a couple of weeks of healing.

“I feel he is every chance. Australia need him. You need a left-arm finger spinner.

“Obviously the batting could be difficult because it is his top hand but I still think he will play.’’

Matthew Kuhnemann took a five-wicket haul in a Test match against India in 2023. Picture: Getty Images

Australia has a dearth of left-arm slow bowling options to the point where uncapped Cooper Connolly may yet win a Test debut in Galle despite never having taken a first-class wicket. With the Sydney Cricket Ground no longer turning like it used to O’Keefe believes a lack of spinning decks has contributed to the problem and he would like to see the Sheffield Shield competition make an occasional outback cameo to condition players for subcontinental tours.

“We played a game at Wagga when I played you could even look at playing a game in Alice Springs and making it a complete dustbowl. Make it a deck where you could pick three spinners and open the bowling with a spinner.”

Originally published as Former Test spinner Stephen O’Keefe backs Matt Kuhnemann to play in Sri Lanka Test series