Published: Sep 15, 2015, 09:26 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 15, 2015, 11:27 PM (IST)
Steve O’Keefe, a distinguished left-arm spinner in the Sheffield Shield, and a man who has remained in the fringes of national selection in the last few years, is likely to be given to shoulder the responsibility as Nathan Lyon’s spinning partner in the dusty tracks of Bangladesh. He built his case with decent showing in the First-Class leg of Australia’s A tour of India late July, taking 14 wickets in two ‘Tests’ in Chennai to help his team defeat the hosts 1-0 in the series. Backed by his domestic credentials in a number of years of honing his skills for New South Wales, his case was convincing enough to overrule the doubts developed after an indifferent debut international tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last year. READ: Usman Khawaja excited with his selection for Bangladesh tour
But his omission from the team in the interim, ie, between the UAE tour and his selection for the Bangladesh assignment, helped him add a dimension to his skill, to sharpen himself to tackle conditions in the alien subcontinent. In an interview with cricket.com.au, he spoke about the value of his his time away from the national side, which included a training stint at the National Cricket Centre in Brisbane, that led to success in India.
“If I’d gone away on tour (with the Test side) I may not have had that opportunity to go to India and play in those conditions. So that’s the positive I can take out of (missing the Ashes squad) I guess. You naturally get disappointed at times if guys get picked ahead of you, but I think what we saw last year was pretty exciting for Fawad Ahmed.” Ahmed, a legspinner, had claimed 48 wickets in the Sheffield Shield last season to be picked ahead of him for the Ashes tour. He did not play any of the Tests, though, in seaming-friendly conditions in England. READ: Andrew Fekete thanks fans on Twitter for good wishes upon inclusion in Australia squad
“I completely understand why the selectors went with that decision (for the Ashes). Although I felt like I had a good year, to be able to press for spots in that Australian team you need to be performing outstandingly well and dominating Shield cricket and Fawad had done that really well. I knew that I was bowling well and was just grateful to have that opportunity to play in India.”
His fruits in India were aided by three-day training on an artificial pitch that simulated conditions of the subcontinent. The success of the team as a whole, led by Usman Khawaja, was built on a stress-free atmosphere. “Trevor Hohns is very transparent as a selector. He had a conversation with all the players before we played and said ‘this is nothing more than an opportunity.” READ: Peter Siddle feels Australia will opt for two pacer, two spinner attack in Bangladesh Tests
“There’s a fair bit of cricket coming up in the subcontinent and we know how hard it is for travelling teams to do well in those conditions. So, he said to enjoy it and make the most of it. So he kept it pretty simple.”
Unlike the Ashes, the second spinner in the squad will likely have a fair bit to do in the two Tests in Bangladesh. O’Keefe , therefore, is quite certain to add to his participated Tests list, unlike Ahmed, who is yet to make his debut. With a time off and a chance to strengthen, he seems to be ready for his second chance to shine in the Australia shirt.
