O’Keefe hails Murali influence as Test debut looms

Joy Chakravarty 13:48 16/10/2014
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  • Turning on the heat: Steve O'Keefe.

    Stephen O’Keefe was left dreaming about a possible Test debut after taking three wickets in Australia’s tour match against Pakistan A yesterday. The left-arm orthodox spinner was the most successful Australian bowler, picking up 3-76 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

    With the experienced off-spinner Nathan Lyon unable to get a single wicket, and the Dubai International Stadium pitch expected to aid spin from day one, there is a good chance that captain Michael Clarke might opt for two specialist spinners.

    The 29-year-old New South Wales player has played 41 first-class matches, taking 128 wickets with best figures of 7-35.

    O’Keefe was delighted with his performance and said he’d rather concentrate on the current match than think of getting his Baggy Green.

    “If the conditions dictate playing two spinners (in Dubai), that would be great,” he said.

    “If we play with one, that’s obviously Nathan. He’s earned that role, he’s such a great spinner for us. But if they decide to play two, it would be great to bowl alongside him.

    “Today was an opportunity to bowl, I’ll get another opportunity in the next innings, but I’m not looking too far ahead.

    “I’m certainly not thinking I’ve got a Baggy Green. Let’s get through this match, let’s get a win, let’s keep contributing. The rest will dictate itself.”

    O’Keefe said he is reaping the rewards of working hard with Muthiah Muralitharan, the leading Test and ODI wicket-taker in the world who is currently employed as Australia’s specialist spin coach for this tour.

    “I think subtle variations, particularly the stuff I’ve worked on with Murali through the week have really helped out,” O’Keefe said.

    “I still think there’s a lot to work on. Your main thing on these sort of wickets is you have to be hitting the stumps and giving yourself a chance.

    “Bowling cross-seam can be quite effective on these wickets, given that the ball can skid off sometimes and bounce maybe if it hits the seam.

    “That’s what Murali has been invaluable with, those sorts of variations. I still haven’t got his doosra, that’d be nice. But I’ll just go with the one that slides on,” he added.

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