Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe has backed his New South Wales (NSW) teammate Trent Copeland. The slow left-arm orthodox spinner O’Keefe has urged National Selection Panel of Cricket Australia (CA) to consider seamer Copeland for the Ashes 2019 squad.
The 34-year-old Malaysia-born O’Keefe believes the inclusion of impressive Copeland will boost Australia on English soil. He added in-form Copeland has bowled brilliantly this season, and it could benefit the senior team in the United Kindom.
Notably, the Ashes 2019 campaign will kick off in August at Edgbaston.
O’Keefe maintained he wouldn’t be surprised if Copeland is named in the much-awaited 17-man squad.
Pertinently, Copeland has been the part of Northamptonshire in 2013. Subsequently, it has given him a fair bit of idea to acclimatise to the UK conditions.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw his name in a 17-man squad in the Ashes series, for sure,” O’Keefe told AAP.
While considering the Ashes rivalry between Australia and England, O’Keefe maintained that his Blues colleague has the potential to challenge hosts in their den.
Steve O’Keefe backs Copeland for Ashes 2019 chance:
Copeland has enjoyed abundant chances in the domestic circuit. Interestingly, the 33-year-old has donned whites for Australia in 2011. He has featured in three Test fixtures against Sri Lanka at Galle and Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo respectively.
Between August and September 2011, Copeland managed to bag six wickets at an average of 37.83. Back then, he had conceded 227 runs off 648 deliveries.
The Gosford-born right-arm fast bowler would be keen to make it possible yet again by delivering according to the expectations.
“He’s been unbelievable and his numbers sort of show that I think it would be remiss of the Aussie selectors not to take him to England, even if it’s in the A squad,” O’Keefe said on Copeland.
The consistent show in the domestic leg saw Copeland leading the pace attack. He is serving as a spearhead for Blues due to the unavailability of injured Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Also, Pat Cummins is away from the Sheffield Shield 2018-19 tournament.
In eight outings so far, Copeland has bagged 44 wickets to be among top three highest wicket-takers of the multi-day tournament.
Besides, Tasmania’s Jackson Bird is leading the charts with 50 scalps from 10 matches, whereas, promising fast bowler from Victoria Scott Boland eked out 45 wickets in nine fixtures.
Copeland has bowled remarkably well throughout the tournament as his bowling average read 18.65. O’Keefe has lauded Copeland for achieving a milestone too.
“I think he’s bowling the best in his career. He’s just got past Alan Davidson (in the ninth spot) all-time (wicket-taking list) for NSW. A guy who has never ever really been thought of, and is probably going to be one of NSW’s great bowlers, so very happy for him,” O’Keefe said.
Steve O’Keefe unlikely for Australia’s Ashes 2019 Squad:
Meanwhile, O’Keefe is all set to feature in the Sheffield Shield final against Victoria in Melbourne.
While reflecting on his career, O’Keefe has always pinned his hopes on consistency. However, he’s clear that he’s unlikely to be picked in the Ashes squad. In the ongoing season, he has snared 19 wickets at the bowling average of 26 for the Blues.
“I’m not holding out for anything. I was told a couple of years ago that maybe I was too old and they were looking to the future,” stated O’Keefe.
O’Keeffe has recovered from a hamstring injury. He himself featured in nine Test for Australia including his last Test which came in Bangladesh back in 2017.