INDIA FRUGAL WITH PRAISE FOR O’KEEFE

Pune, Feb. 27: Steve O’Keefe was instrumental in helping Australia record one of the most famous Test victories in recent times but hosts India have been quick to put their heavy defeat down to the pitch in Pune rather than the 32-yearold spinner’s performance.

Indian batsmen have built a reputation for their prowess against the turning ball over the years but left-armer O’Keefe shattered that aura as Australia bulldozed the world’s top ranked test team inside three days.

O’Keefe’s 12-wicket match haul, the best figures recorded by a visiting spinner on Indian soil, earned him the manof-the-match award but little else in terms of praise from the vanquished hosts.

Out-of-favour off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has had several runins with Australian players, said he was not convinced by O’Keefe's performance and would need to see him in action on a better track. “I will have to see (O’Keefe) bowl on a good Test match wicket. Not this one,” the 36-yearold, who had predicted a 4-0 series defeat for Australia, said.

“Until then, I will reserve my comments,” he added.

O’Keefe and off-spinner Nathan Lyon combined to claim all 10 Indian wickets in the second innings to skittle out the hosts for 107. “To be honest, that wasn’t a pitch," Harbhajan, a veteran of 103 Tests, said of the surface used for the series opener. “Test cricket should last five days. You cannot play on such wickets where anyone runs in to bowl and takes wickets. I have played in over 100 Tests, and I know how hard I had to work to earn every single wicket.” — Reuters