(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Left-arm spinner picks up three wickets on opening day against Pakistan A in a four-day warmup match in Sharjah.
Australian players celebrate the dismissal of Israrullah during the four-day match in Sharjah. — KT photo by Mukesh Kamal
Sharjah — Steve O’Keefe has boosted his chances of getting an Australian Test cap after bagging three wickets against Pakistan A in a four-day warmup match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Wednesday.
The left-arm spinner picked up three for 76 from his 23 overs and is hopeful that his performance would help him claim a place in the final eleven of Dubai Test starting on October 22.
“I hope so. It depends on the conditions. If the conditions dictate playing two spinners it will be great. If we play with one then obviously it is Nathan (Lyon). He is playing that role and he is such a great spinner” O’Keefe told reporters after the end of first day.
He thanked bowling consultant Muttiah Muralitharan who has been in the UAE with the Australian team for the tips the Sri Lankan spinner offered.
“It was a pretty dead track. However the subtle variations particularly the stuff I’ve worked with Murali through the week have really helped out. They have batted really well and Shafiq batted beautifully and deserved his hundred” the 29-year-old New South Wales player said. “Your main thing on these sort of wickets is you have to be hitting the stumps give yourself a chance. And then the rest is moving around the crease 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. I think that’s what Murali has been invaluable with those sorts of variations” he added.
While talking about the improvements he needs to do in the match he said: “I still think there’s a lot to work on. That’s the aim of the game to get wickets. Particularly as a spinner on day one you can certainly help the quicks out and try to go for less than two or three runs an over.
“I probably went a bit expensive towards the end. But to get three of their top seven out I’ll take a lot out of that.”
Admitting that he felt a bit nervous during the initial phases of the match O’Keefe said: “I get nervous. I’ve been nervous since I was eight and sitting exams. It’s part of my natural make-up to get a little nervous but I’m sort of comfortable with that.”
He wants to focus on the current match before aiming for his Test debut.
“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 it’s just ‘let’s get through this match let’s get a win let’s keep contributing’ and the rest will dictate itself” he added.
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