O’Keefe may give way to Bird

The Dharamsala track has traditionally been a seamer-friendly track which may force Steve Smith to opt for a third seamer in Bird, who is known to extract good bounce off the pitch. 

For O’Keefe, the man who got 12 wickets on an under-prepared Pune track, the Bangalore and Pune matches were not as good as the series-opener. 

In Ranchi, on a track which was less conducive for spinners, O’Keefe bowled 77 overs without much success. Ranchi Test was an indicator that O’Keefe needs help from the track to trouble the batsman. Nathan Lyon didn’t bowl at the nets but with his ability to get turn and bounce from the track, he is expected to retain his place. 

It’s a no brainer that Australia will play an extra seamer. Bird bowled at length to David Warner during the optional net session. He looked sharp, got the ball to rear up as Warner looked in some discomfort.