O'Keefe is shattered by his demotion from the 14-man squad for two Tests beginning in August, just months after his 19 wickets at an average of 23.26 against India, including 12 wickets in the first Test at Pune through a mix of spin and sliding deliveries.

Fairfax Media understands O'Keefe questioned Hohns as to why Agar, also a left-arm finger spinner, had been given the nod. O'Keefe recited Agar's career figures, where he has 114 wickets at a modest average of 40.24 with the ball in 44 first-class matches and two wickets at 124 in two Tests.

O'Keefe has 244 wickets at 23.7 in 70 first-class matches, and 33 wickets at 27.3 in eight Tests.

The New South Welshman also sought assurances from Hohns that his off-field indiscretions had not counted against him. Hohns confirmed they had not.

O'Keefe has told friends he fears his Test career is over but Hohns said that was not the case. However, at 32, O'Keefe faces a tough fight, for he was also overlooked for a national contract earlier this year.

Cricket Australia did not wish to comment when contacted on Saturday.

Agar toured India alongside fellow spinners Nathan Lyon and O'Keefe this year but did not add to his two Tests of the 2013 Ashes tour. However, at 23, he is seen as an important plank of Australia's future, with selectors long coveting his talent.

It's understood one high-ranking CA official recently said Agar could be in the frame for the Ashes opener at the Gabba in November, should the selectors opt for a four-man pace battery of Mitch Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and James Pattinson. Agar could play as an allrounder and bat at No.7, with gloveman Matthew Wade at No.6.

O'Keefe's best hope of a return would appear to be by having a strong start to the Sheffield Shield season and ensuring he can pressure Agar ahead of the fifth Ashes Test on what is likely to be a turning SCG deck.

One reason for O'Keefe's demotion was seen to have been his form in the final three Tests in India. He claimed three wickets in Bengaluru, 3-199 in one innings in Ranchi without the aid of pitching into foot marks, but only one wicket in the deciding clash in Dharamsala.

However, O'Keefe's supporters say he largely provided consistent support for Lyon (19 wickets at 25.46), with the latter to lead Australia's spinning charge in Bangladesh - should the tour go ahead.

While announcing the squad on Friday, Hohns said: "Whilst Steve O'Keefe bowled well in Pune, he did not maintain this level in the remaining matches of the series and we believe the timing is right for Ashton to enter the set-up and test his all-rounder ability."

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor, who is now a commentator and a Cricket Australia director, has also insisted O'Keefe's international career isn't over.

O'Keefe found himself in off-field trouble for the second time in less than a year in April when he was accused of highly inappropriate behaviour towards a NSW female cricketer while drunk. He was fined $20,000 and banned from next season's Matador domestic one-day cup.

The squad for Bangladesh also raised eyebrows within state ranks after batting allrounder Hilton Cartwright was recalled, for the West Australian had initially been overlooked for the tour of India when Mitch Marsh was declared fit, and was overlooked again when Marsh returned home through the series and was replaced by Marcus Stoinis.

Spearhead Mitch Starc will miss the tour because of a hot spot in the foot he recently had stress fractures in, having also had to return home early from India. He returned to feature in Australia's unsuccessful tilt at the Champions Trophy this month.

Australia wants him primed for the Ashes, while a bumper Indian Premier League contract next year also awaits.

The tourists will play two Tests in Bangladesh - in Dhaka from August 27 and Chittagong from September 4.

CA says safety concerns in the region have been allayed "at this stage", while the game's governing body will need to reach a pay resolution with the Australian Cricketers Association before the trip proceeds. Informal discussions over a new memorandum of understanding are ongoing.