A New South Wales slow-bowling allrounder had a match-winning impact for an Australian side over the past week. But he wasn't Steven Smith and the star knows he was fortunate to be playing. If Jon Holland and Jason Krejza had avoided off-season surgery and Smith hadn't been with the limited-overs squad in England, Steve O'Keefe would have been on holiday.
Instead O'Keefe, a left-arm spinner, was at Allan Border Field tormenting Sri Lanka A by following his 61 on a tacky pitch with 7 for 35 and another 47. It was the sort of comprehensive contribution allrounders dream of and his came for Australia A in only his seventh first-class game.
O'Keefe, 25, played down his achievements, being satisfied to succeed in both disciplines at a more senior level, and is aiming to chip in again in the second four-day match of the series in Townsville from Friday. "With everyone fit, I probably wasn't going to be the next spinner in this, but given the opportunity I'm stoked and hope to keep contributing," he told Cricinfo.
O'Keefe will not be part of those games - Xavier Doherty has been named as the specialist spinner - and life back in New South Wales will contain more jostling for selection. He played five Sheffield Shield games last season, taking 15 wickets at 30.93, but there are seven spinners in the Blues squad, ranging from Nathan Hauritz and Smith to the rookies Luke Doran and Adam Zampa.
"From my point of view I can't really rest, knowing those guys are around," he said. "A couple have played Test cricket, one will, there are some young guys, who knows how good they could be?"
With so much fresh talent in the New South Wales squad, 25 is the new 35. "I'm one of the older ones now, it's a bit bizarre," he said. "I've gone from feeling pretty young in the squad to one of the older ones. So I don't take an opportunity for granted, I realise I have to make every post a winner."
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