John Hastings, Australia seam bowler, has questioned the selection of Steve O'Keefe for the 2nd Test match against Bangladesh.

Hastings also wondered how the national selectors chose O'Keefe to go to Bangladesh as a replacement for the injured Josh Hazlewood instead of Jon Holland, who took part in Australia's pre-tour camp in Darwin and was highly successful during an intra-squad practice match.


While O'Keefe has stated that he was always informed by the NSW chief executive Andrew Jones and Australia's selection chairman Trevor Hohns that the sanction - which also included an A$20,000 fine - did not preclude Test squad selection.

"I really feel for Dutchy [Holland]," Hastings told RSN radio. "Steve O'Keefe was best man at my wedding so I'm rapt for him, but probably by all rights he probably doesn't deserve to be there. He's suspended by NSW Cricket and he's over playing for Australia."

"I don't think Jon Holland can do any more than what he has done over the last few years. Last year he was prolific for the Bushrangers. He went up to Darwin [to the camp], got four or five for one in a spell. I honestly don't know what the selectors could be saying to him, if anything. It's just unbelievable."

Numerous players and coaches around the country have raised queries about how O'Keefe managed to return to the Test team despite being banned from the next NSW tournament and this year's domestic limited-overs series, for offensive behaviour towards a female Australian cricketer and her partner during the state's end of season awards night.

"He's coming in with no game time," Hastings said of O'Keefe. "It's a massive ask for someone to come in with little or no preparation in matches. That time in the middle is absolute gold dust."