Steve O'Keefe stars with bat and ball
Steve O'Keefe's impressive game for Australia A continued as he took seven wickets before his side gained a 305-run lead against Sri Lanka A
Cricinfo staff
19-Jun-2010
Australia A 208 and 6 for 200 (Bailey 57*) lead Sri Lanka A 103 (O'Keefe 7-35) by 305 runs
Scorecard
Scorecard
Steve O'Keefe's impressive game for Australia A continued as he took seven wickets before his side gained a 305-run lead with two days to play against Sri Lanka A. O'Keefe, the New South Wales left-arm orthodox spinner, scored 61 at Allan Border Field on Friday and backed up with a memorable haul as the visitors were dismissed for 103 before lunch.
That gave Australia a 105-run advantage and they increased the comfort of their position by reaching 6 for 200 at stumps. George Bailey, the captain, finished unbeaten on 57 and O'Keefe was 28 not out, while Michael Klinger (32), Usman Khawaja (30) and Andrew McDonald (21) got starts. Dammika Prasad was the leading bowler with 3 for 34 while the offspinner Sachithra Senanayake, who took the new ball, had Ed Cowan lbw for 9.
O'Keefe, who has played six first-class games, was as difficult to conquer as Senanayake was on the opening day when he captured 8 for 70. O'Keefe delivered 18 overs while taking 7 for 35 in an outstanding performance mixing control and destruction.
Replying to Australia A's 208, the Sri Lankans were in a reasonable position at 4 for 72 before losing their last six wickets for 31. O'Keefe grabbed four of those to add to his dismissals of Lahiru Thirimanne, the top scorer with 20, and Dinesh Chandimal (15) at the start of the day.
