Smith reveals SCG Test XI – and reasoning behind it

Western Australia allrounder Hilton Cartwright will make his Test debut at the SCG tomorrow after captain Steve Smith confirmed two changes for the final Test of the summer.

Cartwright and left-arm orthodox spinner Steve O'Keefe replace Nic Maddinson and Jackson Bird in the XI that sealed the Commonwealth Bank Series against Pakistan with a stunning win in Melbourne last week.

Australia XI: David Warner, Matthew Renshaw, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Hilton Cartwright, Matthew Wade (wk), Mitchell Starc, Steve O'Keefe, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

Maddinson scored just 27 runs in four innings, while Bird has been left out to make room for a second spinner on a pitch that is expected to turn.

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Cartwright, 24, is a batting allrounder but is expected to chip in with his medium pacers to ease the workload of Australia's premier speedsters Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

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Skipper Smith said two playing spinners necessitated a seam-bowling allrounder, although it was uncertain how much bowling would be required from the No.6 who is seen as a batsman first.

"(Cartwright is an) extra bowling option to go with the two quicks and the two spinners," Smith told reporters at the SCG today.

"It just adds a little bit to the bowling stocks, and he deserves an opportunity to play at No.6.

"Greg (Chappell) told him just over at the nets probably half an hour ago. I bumped into him in the change room just now and he seemed pretty excited, a big grin on his face, as you should when you're about to debut for your country.

"It's a dream come true for everyone that gets the opportunity and hopefully he can take his opportunity with both hands."

Cartwright, who will receive Baggy Green No.450 on the SCG outfield on Tuesday morning, said he was more than ready to step up with the ball.

"I can definitely contribute overs during a game," Cartwright said on Sunday.

"That's always been a part of my game. The bowling's been there. I've just been trying to get it to work as close to (as good) as my batting.

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"I'm preparing to have that opportunity to contribute 10, 15 overs, whatever it may be, to hopefully try and cement my spot."

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Smith said he noted considerable improvement in Cartwright's bowling from their previous encounter last summer.

"I think he's improved a lot over the last year or so," Smith said. "I remember facing him a little while ago and I think since then he's probably gained 10kph and got a lot more consistent with his areas.

"I guess how much we'll use him will depend on how the game goes."

O'Keefe edged out bowling-allrounder Ashton Agar as the second spinner behind veteran Nathan Lyon, who cemented his spot with a vital three-wicket spell on the final day of the Boxing Day Test.

Tasmania quick Jackson Bird could consider himself unlucky to miss out after Smith lauded his bowling in the memorable Melbourne Test win.

"I thought he bowled particularly well in Melbourne but, look, conditions sometimes change the team," Smith said.

"So, yeah, we've gone with two spinners on this occasion and it's unlucky for Jackson. I thought he did bowl very well last week and he continues to improve."

O'Keefe has played three Tests, including the Sydney Test against the West Indies last summer and partnered Lyon in the first Test in Sri Lanka this winter before injury ruled him out for the remainder of the series.

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Bad luck followed the 32-year-old when he injured his calf in November's Sheffield Shield match against Victoria on the eve of the revamped squad announcement for the final Test against the Proteas.

Since then, O'Keefe has played three T20 matches for the Sydney Sixers in the KFC Big Bash League and will now change back to the whites and red ball of Test cricket.