HE'S taken more first-class wickets than Michael Beer at a better average and strike rate, scored five times as many runs, is a better fielder and cleaned up Sri Lanka A last season. Now Stephen O'Keefe can join the list of Australian spinners confused about where he stands in the Test pecking order. O'Keefe left for Sri Lanka yesterday with the Australian Twenty20 team and, though he said he felt privileged to be part of that national line-up, he admitted he had bittersweet feelings. ''To be honest, I thought I was half a chance of making this Test side,'' O'Keefe said. ''You have times when you're disappointed, but their selections are their statements, so I know they're not after me at the moment. I've tried to call Andrew Hilditch and hopefully will be able to get some direction from him soon. An honest and frank response is what I'm after so I know what I have to do to go further.'' O'Keefe said he would take heart from the selection of Beer, as it signalled that his craft of left-arm orthodox is in favour. He suggested Beer's height advantage might have put him ahead in selection. And, he hoped the West Australia 27-year-old would have a successful tour. Nevertheless, O'Keefe has reason to be confused. He felt he was on the right track when he was called into the Test squad after Nathan Hauritz was injured during the series against Pakistan in England last year. Hilditch had praised O'Keefe's performance against Sri Lanka A - in which he took 7-35 and scored 61 and 47 - stating he was ''a good, young all-round cricketer who deserves his chance''. Since then, Hilditch's panel has picked five spinners ahead of the 26-year-old Hawkesbury player, who took 22 first-class wickets at 20.32 in five matches last season. Incoming NSW coach Anthony Stuart said ''in black and white'' the statistics show O'Keefe is ahead of Beer. But it was up to O'Keefe to keep pressing for selection. ''At the moment the selectors see Michael Beer ahead of him in the Test side and Xavier Doherty ahead of him in the one-day side,'' Stuart said. ''Steve's disappointed but that's the reality of the situation and he's got to deal with it the best way he can. He'll get plenty of opportunities with NSW to impress this season.'' Blues players view O'Keefe as a tough and confident competitor, who sticks to his game plan and enjoys responsibility. ''He isn't shy with a word or two out in the middle and he backs his ability in any situation,'' Stuart said. ''He knows he's not far away.'' O'Keefe will learn plenty this season alongside fellow Blues spinners Steve Smith, Beau Casson and Hauritz - each of whom has played Test cricket - as well as captain Simon Katich. ''I've got 50-plus wickets, most of which have been away from home and a lot of have been against decent batsmen,'' O'Keefe said. ''I've got a lot of improving to do but I've got a pretty good foundation. ''Being around the Test team [last year], makes it tangible and makes you extremely hungry to be part of it a bit more, especially when they've turned over that many spinners. You feel like you're definitely not far away. ''I feel privileged to be where I am and hope the Australian team gets back on top of the Test rankings very soon. You don't get anywhere by whingeing or worrying about selections. You've got to just do your best.''

HE'S taken more first-class wickets than Michael Beer at a better average and strike rate, scored five times as many runs, is a better fielder and cleaned up Sri Lanka A last season. Now Stephen O'Keefe can join the list of Australian spinners confused about where he stands in the Test pecking order. O'Keefe left for Sri Lanka yesterday with the Australian Twenty20 team and, though he said he felt privileged to be part of that national line-up, he admitted he had bittersweet feelings. ''To be honest, I thought I was half a chance of making this Test side,'' O'Keefe said. ''You have times when you're disappointed, but their selections are their statements, so I know they're not after me at the moment. I've tried to call Andrew Hilditch and hopefully will be able to get some direction from him soon. An honest and frank response is what I'm after so I know what I have to do to go further.'' O'Keefe said he would take heart from the selection of Beer, as it signalled that his craft of left-arm orthodox is in favour. He suggested Beer's height advantage might have put him ahead in selection. And, he hoped the West Australia 27-year-old would have a successful tour. Nevertheless, O'Keefe has reason to be confused. He felt he was on the right track when he was called into the Test squad after Nathan Hauritz was injured during the series against Pakistan in England last year. Hilditch had praised O'Keefe's performance against Sri Lanka A - in which he took 7-35 and scored 61 and 47 - stating he was ''a good, young all-round cricketer who deserves his chance''. Since then, Hilditch's panel has picked five spinners ahead of the 26-year-old Hawkesbury player, who took 22 first-class wickets at 20.32 in five matches last season. Incoming NSW coach Anthony Stuart said ''in black and white'' the statistics show O'Keefe is ahead of Beer. But it was up to O'Keefe to keep pressing for selection. ''At the moment the selectors see Michael Beer ahead of him in the Test side and Xavier Doherty ahead of him in the one-day side,'' Stuart said. ''Steve's disappointed but that's the reality of the situation and he's got to deal with it the best way he can. He'll get plenty of opportunities with NSW to impress this season.'' Blues players view O'Keefe as a tough and confident competitor, who sticks to his game plan and enjoys responsibility. ''He isn't shy with a word or two out in the middle and he backs his ability in any situation,'' Stuart said. ''He knows he's not far away.'' O'Keefe will learn plenty this season alongside fellow Blues spinners Steve Smith, Beau Casson and Hauritz - each of whom has played Test cricket - as well as captain Simon Katich. ''I've got 50-plus wickets, most of which have been away from home and a lot of have been against decent batsmen,'' O'Keefe said. ''I've got a lot of improving to do but I've got a pretty good foundation. ''Being around the Test team [last year], makes it tangible and makes you extremely hungry to be part of it a bit more, especially when they've turned over that many spinners. You feel like you're definitely not far away. ''I feel privileged to be where I am and hope the Australian team gets back on top of the Test rankings very soon. You don't get anywhere by whingeing or worrying about selections. You've got to just do your best.''