Ashes 2017-18: Steve O’Keefe Sidelined for Six Weeks with Broken Finger

Oct 16, 2017 at 2:00 PM

facebook iconlinkedin iconmail icontwitter iconWhatsApp iconTelegram icon
Ashes 2017-18: Steve O’Keefe Sidelined for Six Weeks with Broken Finger

With the Ashes 2017-18 six weeks away, the Australian national set-up has to face a severe blow, in the form of left-arm orthodox spinner Steve O’Keefe, who has broken finger on his right hand while playing for Manly Cricket Club (MCC) against North Sydney on Saturday (October 14).

The multiple injuries have plagued the injury-hit Australian side — to the spin bowlers which already included left-arm spinner Ashton Agar in the list.

Ashes 2017-18, Steve O'Keefe, Broken Finger, Nathan Lyon, Australia Vs England, JLT Sheffield Shield, JLT One-day Cup
O’Keefe has been used as a back-up for Nathan Lyon. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

(Read Also: Dramatic Scenes: Unsafe Pitch in Australia forced Umpires to Abandon JLT Fixture)

Playing domestic cricket for New South Wales Blues, the Malaysia-born O’Keefe was sidelined for five-to-six weeks owing to the finger injury during grade cricket.

Before the start of the Ashes campaign, the Australian spin stock is facing the challenging task, as 29-year-old senior off-spinner Nathan Lyon struggled with his shoulder during the JLT One-day Cup fixture against Queensland.

Ashes 2017-18, Steve O'Keefe, Broken Finger, Nathan Lyon, Australia Vs England, JLT Sheffield Shield, JLT One-day Cup
Cricket Australia to launch a thorough investigation for ‘unsafe pitch’ which included O’Keefe’s domestic side NSW. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

However, New South Wales-based Lyon was rested for the all-important game against Victoria following the precautionary measures which further saw the match was abandoned due to the ‘dangerous pitch’ for playing conditions.

The growing list of injured players have had become a huge concern for the Cricket Australia (CA) before they are supposed to announce the eagerly-awaited squad for the traditional home series.

With premium Australian first-class round of Sheffield Shield competition bound to kick off on October 26 between Queensland and Victoria at Gabba in Brisbane, O’Keefe would miss out on the first three rounds of the premiere four-day tournament if he would recuperate in time.

Ashes 2017-18, Steve O'Keefe, Broken Finger, Nathan Lyon, Australia Vs England, JLT Sheffield Shield, JLT One-day Cup
In February, this year, O’Keefe picked his Test best of six for 35 in Pune Test against India. Photo Credit: AFP.

Interestingly, the Ashes will be beginning from November 23, as England has already named its squad before flying to Australia.

The 24-year-old Agar has undergone surgery after breaking his finger during the recently-concluded limited-overs series against India.

On the other side, the 30-year-old Victoria-based left-arm spinner Jonathan Holland, who represented Australia in two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2016, also underwent knee surgery before being ruled out.

Moreover, the defending champions Blues decided to take the field in the ongoing 50-over competition without the quality wrist spinner, as O’Keefe was found guilty in April this year after he was charged for the hefty amount of US$20,000 for an alcohol-related incident which further forced him out of the Matador Cup 2017.

Ashes 2017-18, Steve O'Keefe, Broken Finger, Nathan Lyon, Australia Vs England, JLT Sheffield Shield, JLT One-day Cup

O’Keefe was surprised entry for Chittagong Test after Australia was trailing by 1-0 in the two-match series which resulted in a 1-1 draw. Photo Credit: Getty Images.

O’Keefe breached the level-two Code of Conduct, as the incident took place soon after the ceremony of Steve Waugh Medal.

Across formats, O’Keefe bagged 41 wickets and went on to play in the recent fixture against Bangladesh in Chittagong Test in September this year after replacing injured Josh Hazlewood.

O’Keefe made his international debut against Pakistan at Birmingham in July 2010, as he went on to play in nine Tests and seven Twenty20 Internationals.

Related Article
Inexperienced England Openers Don’t Stand A Chance Against A Very Good Australian Attack, Feels Simon Katich
Inexperienced England Openers Don’t Stand A Chance Against A Very Good Australian Attack, Feels Simon Katich

Dec 27, 2021, 5:52 PM


Brett Lee Confident Of Australia Bouncing Back From Group Stage Defeat Against England In T20I WC 2021
Brett Lee Confident Of Australia Bouncing Back From Group Stage Defeat Against England In T20I WC 2021

Nov 3, 2021, 12:28 PM


Perth May Not Be Able To Host 5th Ashes Test Due To COVID-19
Perth May Not Be Able To Host 5th Ashes Test Due To COVID-19

Sep 24, 2021, 6:17 PM


Steve Smith Likely to Feature In The Decider Against England
Steve Smith Likely to Feature In The Decider Against England

Sep 15, 2020, 5:57 PM


Adam Gilchrist Sheds Light On Australia’s Prolonged Problems
Adam Gilchrist Sheds Light On Australia’s Prolonged Problems

Sep 11, 2020, 4:59 PM


ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Jason Roy Faces Fine And Demerit Points For Showing Dissent To The Umpires
ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: Jason Roy Faces Fine And Demerit Points For Showing Dissent To The Umpires

Jul 12, 2019, 12:47 AM


Desktop Banner
Mobile Banner