Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe will miss next six weeks of cricketing action following an injury in his finger. This resulted in a major setback for the cricketer ahead of much-anticipated Ashes this summer. O’Keefe featured in the last Test of Australia against Bangladesh, where he replaced injured Josh Hazelwood in the playing XI.

The left-arm spinner scripted Australia’s famous win against India in Pune earlier this year, when he won the match for his team with 12-for in the match. Despite a stunning opening in the series, Aussies failed to maintain their dominance and lost the four-match Test series by 2-1.

This news increased headaches for Australian national selectors, who are running out of spinners for the national team. O’Keefe will miss next three rounds of domestic cricket, while Ashton Agar, too, injured his finger during India ODIs. Meanwhile, their front spinner Nathan Lyon has been ruled out of Shield matches due to a sore shoulder. However, selectors revealed that Nyon has been rested with precautionary manner.

The Ashes will go underway from November 23 in Brisbane. England is the current holder of the urn, while hosts will try to regain it.