Test spinner spooks Ghosts to take 13 wickets for the Waratahs

AFTER taking 13 wickets over the weekend for Manly against Campbelltown-Camden, Steve O’Keefe had every reason to feel pretty chuffed with himself.

Australian Test spin bowler Steve O'Keefe.

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AFTER taking 13 wickets over the weekend for Manly against Campbelltown-Camden, Steve O’Keefe had every reason to feel pretty chuffed with himself.

But in a prime example of his outstanding character, the 32-year-old was more excited about helping the Waratahs win outright in the NSW Premier Cricket competition.

“Things went my way, but I am not getting carried away,’’ O’Keefe said. “(Captain) Adam Crosthwaite was brilliant. He promised to bowl me quite a bit and on Saturday I got in just under 30 overs, which was great.

“Individual accolades are always nice, but it was all about bowling as much as I could.”

Steve O'Keefe playing for Manly on Saturday.

O’Keefe’s 9-54 on day one versus the Ghosts were the second-best figures in Manly’s rich club history.

Jack Gregory holds the record after taking 9-24 in the 1923-24 campaign.

On Sunday on day two, O’Keefe backed up to claim 4-42 in the away side’s second innings, with returning paceman Michael Visser equally impressive, taking 5-33.

As expected, O’Keefe was named in the Australian Test squad ahead of the tour to India next month.

After choosing to skip the rest of the T20 Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers, he will travel to Geelong next week to play with NSW’s second XI before flying to Dubai on January 29.