What’s The Buzz: Meet Rachael Haynes, the brave victim of Stephen O’Keefe’s drunken abuse

THIS is Rachael Haynes, the female Australian cricketer on the receiving end of Test star Stephen O’Keefe’s drunken abuse on Steve Waugh Medal night.

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THIS is the female Australian cricketer on the receiving end of Test star Stephen O’Keefe’s drunken abuse on Steve Waugh Medal night.

Rachael Haynes has played three Tests for Australia, 34 one-day internationals, 27 T20 games and is one the country’s most respected cricketers.

O’Keefe’s “highly inappropriate” remarks reduced Haynes to tears in front of hundreds of guests at NSW cricket’s night of nights at the Hilton Hotel.

A complaint was later lodged with the HR department at Cricket NSW, fully supported by those within earshot of O’Keefe’s abuse. In fact those who have heard what was said urged for action to be taken against O’Keefe.

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Stephen O'Keefe is considered lucky to have just been fined and suspended. Picture: AFP

There are many in NSW cricket who think O’Keefe is lucky to escape with a $20,000 fine and ban from Matador Cup games considering his previous alcohol related indiscretion last August.

One official told The Sunday Telegraph: “He’s lucky they didn’t tear up his contract. Drunken abuse of anyone at a function is unacceptable but far worse when it’s directed at a woman.”

It was obvious to all at the function that O’Keefe had too much to drink and a number of players urged him to go home. Inexplicably he was allowed into the after-party at the Hilton Hotel’s Marble Bar which was hosted by Cricket NSW CEO Andrew Jones.

Haynes couldn’t be contacted by The Sunday Telegraph for comment. For all his heroics on the recent tour of India, even his teammates are getting fed up with O’Keefe’s behaviour and lame excuses and apologies each time he has been disciplined.

Last August, O’Keefe was fined $10,000 and ordered to undergo counselling for abusing police, security and management at Manly’s Steyne Hotel.

It appears only a complete booze ban will ensure he behaves appropriately in future.