Kerry O'Keeffe
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 Australia (Aus) |
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| Batting style | Right-hand bat | |
| Bowling type | Legbreak googly | |
| Tests | ODIs | |
| Matches | 24 | 2 |
| Runs scored | 644 | 16 |
| Batting average | 25.76 | 16.00 |
| 100s/50s | -/1 | -/- |
| Top score | 85 | 16* |
| Balls bowled | 5384 | 132 |
| Wickets | 53 | 2 |
| Bowling average | 38.07 | 39.50 |
| 5 wickets in innings | 1 | - |
| 10 wickets in match | - | N/A |
| Best bowling | 5/101 | 1/36 |
| Catches/stumpings | 15/- | -/- |
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As of 12 December 2005 |
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Kerry James O'Keeffe (born November 25, 1949, Hurstville, New South Wales) is a former Australian cricketer and commentator. O'Keeffe played 24 Tests and 2 ODIs between 1971 to 1977.
He was a spin bowler, bowling leg breaks. He never quite lived up to early expectations of him being the next great Australian leg spin bowler, taking 53 wickets at an average of 38.07. He did however have some success with the bat averaging 25.76 and being called upon to open the batting in the second innings of the Centenary Test. One statistic that O'Keeffe himself uses to demonstrate his lack of penetration with the ball is that he is the bowler with the highest percentage of wickets out 'caught' in the history of Test match cricket.
After varied careers post-cricket he is now a commentator on ABC Radio and occasionally the Nine Network. He is known for his humorous anecdotes, told in the manner of an after dinner speech at a cricketers club, and his distinctive laugh. He especially seems to enjoy working with overseas commentators such as India's Harsha Bhogle whom he confuses with his colourful Australian language. However when he concentrates on the game he shows insight born of a career at the highest level together with study of the statistics and history of the game.
In 2004 he released his autobiography According to Skull.
[edit] Quotes
In a Sri Lanka against Australia game Dilhara Fernando was called for a no-ball and questioned the umpire. Commentator Tim Lane asked O'Keeffe what the umpire might say in reply. O'Keefe deadpanned: "I think he might be saying, 'If I had to do the same again, I would my friend, Fernando'."
Discussing the biomechanical tests that take place to ascertain the legality of bowling actions: "Boy George would be considered straight at the University of Western Australia."
[edit] External links
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