O’Keefe’s dozen helps Australia humiliate India

By our correspondents

February 26, 2017

PUNE, India: Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe picked up 12 wickets to guide Australia to a first win in India since 2004, the 333-run thrashing in the opening Test also bringing the home side’s 19-match unbeaten streak to a juddering halt on Saturday.

The 32-year-old, who returned matching career-best figures of 6-35 in both innings for a maiden 10-wicket Test haul, shone with the ball after his skipper Steve Smith had recorded his first Test century on Indian soil to anchor Australia’s batting.

Chasing a massive victory target of 441, India scored just two more runs in their second innings to capitulate inside three days at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, making its debut as a Test
centre.

“We’ve got to hold our heads high, take it on the chin and accept the defeat, they completely outplayed us,” home captain Virat Kohli said after India fell
1-0 behind in the four-match
series.

Australia were in control of the contest once they scraped together 260 in the first innings and tasted victory in India for the first time since a 342-run Nagpur victory in 2004.

“I’m really proud of the way the boys have performed in this Test match,” Australia captain Smith said.

Four of O’Keefe’s six wickets in the second innings were leg before dismissals while he also got the prized scalp of Kohli, who completed a forgettable display when he shouldered arms to a straight delivery and saw his off-stump uprooted for 13.

Spin colleague Nathan Lyon provided able support, picking up the other four wickets in India’s innings for 53 runs.

Earlier in the day, Smith capitalised on India’s sloppy fielding with a brilliant century to help his team make 285 in their second innings after the visitors had resumed on 143 for four.

Smith was eventually out leg before to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 109.

The 27-year-old was unbeaten on 59 overnight, was dropped three times on Friday and was handed another lifeline on 67 but maintained his concentration on a tricky surface to bring up his 18th test hundred.

He also enjoyed another slice of fortune on 73 when a strong appeal for leg before off Jadeja was turned down by the umpire with replays indicating the decision would have been overturned on review had India not already used up their two referrals.

Smith and Mitchell Marsh added 56 for the fifth wicket and the Australia captain contributed to two more significant stands with Matthew Wade (20) and Mitchell Starc (30) as Australia piled on the runs.

The second match starts in Bangalore from next Saturday.

Score Board

Australia won toss

Australia 1st innings 260 all-out (M Renshaw 68; R Ashwin 3-63)

India 1st innings 105 all-out (K Rahul 64; S O’Keefe 6-35)

Australia 2nd innings 285 all-out (S Smith 109; R Ashwin 4-119)

India 2nd innings

M Vijay lbw b O’Keefe 2

K L Rahul lbw b Lyon 10

C A Pujara lbw b O’Keefe 31

*V Kohli b O’Keefe 13

A M Rahane c Lyon b O’Keefe 18