Sixers’ allrounder Steve O’Keefe believes Saturday’s Big Bash League (BBL) Sydney derby will help his young teammates catch a whiff of the pressure-cooker environment at international level.

NSW captain O’Keefe recognises Sheffield Shield as the ultimate test and proving ground for the nation’s Test hopefuls, but notes there are a few things that only the BBL can offer to those young guns rising up the domestic ranks.

“Every time you strap your pads on and mark centre, you learn … and it advances your game to play in front of what’s hopefully going to be a packed house,” O’Keefe said of the SCG clash with the Thunder.

“With all that added pressure, it prepares guys to play on the international scene.

“If you’re bowling against (Thunder star) Chris Gayle for the first time, maybe it won’t be as daunting the second.

“There’s a lot of really good aspects to it.”

O’Keefe knows better than most the upside of the shortest format, with all seven of his matches for Australia having been T20s.

With star teammate David Warner having shifted the paradigm, O’Keefe said the BBL will provide more opportunities for the likes of teammates Moises Henriques, Steve Smith and Nic Maddinson to showcase their credentials to national selectors.

“I think all form translates. If you’re doing well at T20 level, and you’re doing well at Shield level – that can translate to one-day cricket, funnily enough,” the 27-year-old said.

“There’s a lot of people watching (the BBL) and you’d be silly to think selectors aren’t having a look.

“Even for young blokes like a Nic Maddinson, who’s already got the feelers out from selectors at the highest level, it’s another great opportunity for him to show how good he is.

“It’s not the first thing guys think of, but you’re certainly aware.”

O’Keefe, who missed the start of the Sixers’ inaugural BBL season due to injury, will be keen to add more oomph to his own bid for a national recall.

AAP rf/imc