Lehmann weighing up options

Stephen O'Keefe is well placed to not only play the Sydney New Year's Test but establish himself as Nathan Lyon's subcontinent spin sidekick.

Darren Lehmann and Steve Smith have strongly hinted O'Keefe is expected to play the third Commonwealth Bank Test against the West Indies, which starts on Sunday.

The 31-year-old has been called into Australia's squad and SCG curator Tom Parker has produced spin-friendly pitches throughout the season.

"Our understanding is it's been spinning. In the games we've been watching it's been spinning so I would say more than likely it'll be two spinners," coach Lehmann said.

Australia have not picked two spinners in a home Test since Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill played together at the SCG in 2006.

It coincides with Mitch Marsh's career-best bowling, which the allrounder exhibited on day four of the Boxing Day Test.

WATCH: Marsh ramps it up at the 'G with four

Lehmann is desperately craving success on the subcontinent, with Australia's most recent trip to India having featured four lopsided Test losses amid embarrassing off-field drama.

Australia are scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in August 2016 and will return to India for a Test series in 2017.

The coach knows he will almost certainly need to call on two frontline spinners on both tours, given the dry and dusty decks.

"Looking further ahead to subcontinent conditions, we need to make sure we've got two spinners up and running," Lehmann said.

"He (O'Keefe) was in the squad for Bangladesh before that got called off.

Warne and MacGill: the last spin twins to feature in a home Test // Getty

"He's bowling really well. The selectors have watched him through state cricket."

Lehmann's men played two Tests against Pakistan in 2014, when they were thumped in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

It was one of many reminders in recent years of the side's inability to adapt to foreign conditions.

O'Keefe made his Test debut on that tour, playing in Dubai before being dropped for the second match in Abu Dhabi, and has since improved according to Lehmann.

O'Keefe took 4-219 in his only Test to date // Getty

"By all reports, yes. I haven't seen him enough," he said.

"You're really guided by the selectors who go and watch them, but by all reports he's bowling really well.

"They're really happy with the way he's bowling. So if he gets his chance I'm sure he'll do well."

O'Keefe is also a handy batsman, with Lehmann tipping he would likely come in at No.8 after Peter Nevill.

"He can certainly bat and he's a chirpy little feisty bloke in the field. I'm looking forward to him contributing if he gets his chance," Lehmann said.

FREE OFFER: Get an Optus Live Pass to stream every ball of BBL matches (and Test matches) for FREE until midnight January 9. Click here or on the image below.