New Delhi: The opening Test of the 4-match between India and Australia produced an astonishing result after the tourists secured a massive 333-run victory to halt India’s unbeaten home run. Steve O’Keefe was the chief architect of the Aussies’ triumph, and his heroics with the ball got his ex-teammate Mitchell Johnson in a trolling mood towards India coach Anil Kumble.
After the 2nd day’s play, Kumble had commented on O’Keefe’s performance saying that the spinner has bowled steady and in right areas. (IND vs AUS, 1st Test – As it happened.. | Report)
“He bowled steady. He bowled consistently in good areas. There were a couple of soft dismissals and that pushed us back. We saw Jadeja in the last session where every over he was beating the bat three times. It was just one of those days where on another day, they would have all taken the edge or got a wicket. It was one of those things where O’Keefe pitched it (in the right areas) and he got the results.”
Johnson, taking a dig at Kumble on his ‘steady’ comments over the Aussie spinner tweeted, “And the coach of India says Steve O’Keefe is “Steady” Well done Steady O’Keefe keep it up #INDvAUS”
And the coach of India says Steve O’Keefe is “Steady” Well done Steady O’Keefe keep it up #INDvAUS
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) February 25, 2017
Johnson further congratulated his team with another tweet, “You ripper Australia! Brilliant test match and the perfect way to start the test series. #INDvAUS”
You ripper Australia! Brilliant test match and the perfect way to start the test series. #INDvAUS
— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) February 25, 2017
O’Keefe was named man of the match for his career best 12-wicket haul in the match, 6/35 in first innings and 6/35 in second innings.
Reflecting on his best performance till day, O’Keefe said, “A first innings was a bit of blur. The ball tended to skid on more than spin so it exposed the stumps and the lbw. My first six wickets was ordinary, I had to change it up quickly. Our batters worked really hard not to get beaten on one edge.”
Australian captain Steve Smith also reflected on his team’s perfomance and especially that of O’Keefe’s, “Thought it was going to be hardwork. I’m proud of the way the guys played. Winning the toss was a bonus, good plans in place. O’Keefe was outstanding. We’ve got some good players of spin and good spinners. It’s been 4502 days since Australia won a Test in India, I know it to the day. A massive lead in this wicket. When he pulled his length back slightly (O’Keefe), it felt he’d get a wicket every ball. You need to have some luck on a wicket like that. It took a lot of grit and determination.”
Source: Zee News