HAWKESBURY cricketer Stephen O’Keefe achieved a remarkable feat while bowling in India last week, and his former team mates could not be happier for the man affectionately known as ‘SOK’.
O’Keefe’s bowling figures were the best recorded by an Australian in the tough sub-continental conditions of India.
O’Keefe finished the match with figures of 12-70, with two six wicket hauls in each innings to skittle the Indian batting line-up and help Australia convincingly win the first test match.
Long time team mate at Hawkesbury Cricket Club Shane Mott said he was following the live scores of the match, and could not believe the rate at which Indian batsmen were falling.
“Every time I flicked on the scorecard, another wicket had fallen,” he said.
Mott said O’Keefe had always been an extremely likeable person.
“He has always been popular among his team mates both as a cricketer and socially,” he said.
“He is very positive about his team mates, a natural leader, he was captain for a couple of seasons when I played first grade with him.”
Mott said one thing that set O’Keefe apart from other cricketers was his desire to constantly better himself.
“He is ultra competitive, he is extremely persistent and that is one of his best attributes,” he said.
“His work ethic, his persistence and discipline meant he kept improving and kept getting the best out of himself.”
Mott said it was a great feeling to see someone he came up through the junior cricketing ranks with achieve such a feat.
“There is a sense of pride in your club that someone can go and achieve that sort of thing,” he said.
“It definitely makes you proud to have played for Hawkesbury.”
The admiration for O’Keefe went so far, Mott said, that when media personalities criticised him, the players took those criticisms personally.
“We've seen how hard he works at what he does,” he said.
“So it is kind of satisfying for us to see them succeed, particularly when you see criticism or comments made about their performances.”
Australia starts the second test on Saturday.
