McGain can do the job in India: O'Keeffe

Sydney: Former Australian legspinner Kerry O'Keeffe, who played 24 Tests in the 1970's, thinks Bryce McGain, who is part of the Australian squad currently touring India, has what it takes to succeed in the sub-continent.

With a dearth of quality spinners after the retirements of Shane Warne, Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg, the Australian selectors turned to 36-year old McGain in their defence of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

McGain, who plays for Victoria in the Australian domestic circuit, has seven seasons of first-class cricket behind him.

O'Keeffe, who saw McGain at Cricket Australia's Centre of Excellence (COE) many years ago, told The Australian, "I'm still bullish about Bryce on those pitches, but it's going to be tough."

"I think he can do a job on particular pitches. He's a terrific fella," he added.

Recalling the days when he saw McGain at the COE, O'Keeffe said, "We liked what he had (at the academy). We looked at his action on the video. 

"We thought 'He's a good a bowler and he only plays district cricket'." 

The Australians, who will play four Test matches in their bid to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, have two uncapped specialist spinners in their squad in McGain and Jason Krejza.