Australian cricketer Steve O’Keefe allegedly abused staff and police after boozy night at Manly hotel

CRICKET Australia has fined Test spinner Steve O’Keefe $10,000 after he allegedly abused police and staff of a hotel during a boozy night out in Manly.

AUSTRALIAN cricketer Steve O’Keefe was fined $10,000 and ordered to undergo counselling after a boozy night out in Manly where he allegedly abused police, security and management at a prominent hotel.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal O’Keefe was issued with two criminal infringement notices after being refused entry into The Steyne Hotel at 11pm last Saturday.

O’Keefe has only just returned home after representing Australia against Sri Lanka in the first Test in Pallekele.

Cricket Australia launched an immediate investigation after being made aware of the incident by The Daily Telegraph.

O'Keefe faces an investigation after an allegedly wild night out.

On-lookers on the famous Corso at Manly were stunned at O’Keefe’s offensive behaviour.

One observer said: “I clearly heard him yell out: ‘I’m not just a state cricketer, I’m a f----- Australian cricketer’.”

CA sanctioned O’Keefe for breaking cricket’s code of behaviour. Aside from the $10,000 fine, O’Keefe will have to pay around $1000 in police fines.

“I have spoken to Steve and he is very disappointed with his behaviour,” Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones said.

“He has apologised to the management of the Steyne Hotel and accepts that he will be sanctioned. Steve has had a difficult couple of weeks but that is no excuse.

“We expect a high standard from our players on and off the field and in this case Steve failed to meet those high standards.”

Cricket Australia executive general manager, team performance, Pat Howard was also angry.

“We take a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour from players at any level in Australian Cricket,” Howard said.

“Steve understands our expectations and that we’re extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly as he is recovering from an injury.”

O’Keefe was contrite on Monday night.

“I know I failed to uphold the high standards expected of a NSW and Australian cricketer and apologise to all concerned,” O’Keefe said. “I take full responsibility for my actions and accept the sanction handed to me by Cricket Australia.”

O’Keefe, 31, was ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury and replaced by Victoria’s Jon Holland.

Police asked O’Keefe to move along. He failed to do so and police then issued the infringement notices.

A police media statement read: “Just before 11pm (last Saturday) a 31-year-old man attempted to enter licensed premises at The Corso, Manly. It will be alleged the man behaved offensively towards a security guard, who had refused the man entry. The man allegedly verbally abused the security and management personnel, and refused to leave.

“Officers attached to Northern Beaches Local Area Command attended and the man was issued a criminal infringement notice for offensive behaviour, and excluded person remain in vicinity of licensed premises.”

O’Keefe plays Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW and club cricket for Manly.

Australia lost the first Test with O’Keefe in their side and were also defeated in the second Test, which was played in Galle. O’Keefe left the field with his injury midway through day three of the first Test.

Cricket Australia has privately questioning why O’Keefe was on a bender and not attending to his injury rehab.