5 Facts About India’s Destroyer in Chief, Steve O’Keefe
Steve picked up 12 wickets in only his fifth Test match.
Steve O'Keefe, in only his fifth Test and first in India, picked up 12 wickets, including a career-best six for 35 in both the innings to guide Australia to a 333-run win in the opening test, also bringing the home side's 19-match unbeaten streak to a juddering halt on Saturday.
The 32-year-old took all his first innings wickets in the space of 24 deliveries, including three in one over, to trigger a spectacular collapse and help Australia bundle India out for 105.
Here are five trivia about the Man of the Match, who spearheaded India’s destruction in the first match.
1. From Malaysia to Australia
O’Keefe was born in Malaysia, where his father was posted by the Australian air force, however, returned home when he was still very young. He went on to play for Australia’s under-19 in 2003-04.
2. First-Class Cricket
O'Keefe made his debut in first-class cricket in 2005, and played his second game four years later. To date he has picked up 225 wickets at an average of 23.81 and 1891 runs in 66 matches.
3. International Career
The Aussie made his international debut in 2010 in a neutral T20 against Pakistan, and played his first Test four years later. After a successful first-class season, he was picked in Australia's Test squad to play Pakistan in the UAE in 2014. However the offie couldn’t make most of the opportunity, picking up four wickets, while giving away 219 runs in 57 overs.
In 2016, he picked three wickets against West Indies in January, and three against Sri Lanka in July. This year, he picked up four wickets against Pakistan, while giving away 103 runs.
He is yet to play a one-day international for Australia.
4. Withdrew From BBL to Prepare For India
After Steve was named in the Australia’s squad that would tour India, he was pulled out of the Big Bash League midway. The withdrawal was a conscious effort by Cricket Australia to put him under a Test-specific physical preparation.
5. Luck Not on O’Keefe’s Side?
Another reason why O’Keefe was pulled out of the BBL was his history with injuries, a major reason why he was left out of the Australia squad for a while.
He pulled his hamstring after the Test against Sri Lanka and injured his finger at the start of the Australia summer. He also had to miss the Adelaide Test against South Africa in November last year after injuring his calf.
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