Out of favour spinner Stephen O’Keefe is still in the dark about why he is on the nose with Australian cricket selectors after trying to get feedback through a third party.
A lot of pundits were surprised O’Keefe didn’t get picked for the Test tour of India.
He completed a decent campaign for NSW, taking 24 wickets at 22 and averaged 25 with the bat.
Australia’s specialist tweakers Nathan Lyon and Xavier Doherty averaged 37 and 60 per wicket respectively in India, with Lyon’s figures improved by a nine-wicket haul in the final match.
Former NSW captain O’Keefe, 28, hasn’t played a Test but has the respectable figures of six wickets at 24.83 from seven T20 appearances, the last of which was in October 2011 against South Africa in Johannesburg.
There has been talk in some quarters that his forthright and candid attitude has upset some senior figures in the Australian cricket hierarchy.
O’Keefe enlisted NSW chairman of selectors David Freedman as a third party to talk to the selectors, but said he still hadn’t received specific feedback.
“I can’t complain. I certainly don’t feel bitter about anything,” O’Keefe said.
“But a good reason on how you can improve would be nice to hear, so I can go away with my game and work on it.
“I’d just like to know whether they think it’s an attitude thing, a skill thing.
“I’m willing to have that conversation. Now I haven’t got too much feedback, I might just ring (a selector) and just ask ‘what would you prefer to see me doing?’.”
O’Keefe said the perception he took most of his wickets at the SCG was incorrect.
He was hoping to be selected for the upcoming Australia A tour of Britain and hadn’t given up hope of winning a Test cap.
“It’s every kid’s dream to wear that baggy green – it’s still mine,” O’Keefe said.
While O’Keefe is a better batsman than the other current specialist spinners, he said he wanted to be regarded as a slow bowler and not an allrounder.
He gave up the NSW captaincy late in the season and endorsed his replacement Ben Rohrer as the Blues fulltime skipper for next summer.
NSW just missed out on the Sheffield Shield final, with a one-point over rate penalty ultimately denying them a place in the four-day decider.
Matt F
Roar Guru
Not one of the players you've named are spinners, so no they don't deserve a spot ahead of SOK, they're competing for different spots. You wouldn't happen to be from Tasmania by any chance?
terrykidd
Roar Pro
SOK would be in my Ashes squad and be first picked for the Test team .... simple as that
Richard
Guest
Its a pretty poor show that guy has to resort to the media to get any answers from the selectors. What a disgraceful situation!
Adam
Guest
lol a NSW player doesn't get picked to he has a whinge to the media about it, then the media jumps on, well SOK, join the list of several of severl other FC cricketers, who are far more talented than you who are currently playing, or who has retured, the Bevens, hodges, Loves, Laws, of the past and current Falkner, Butterworth, doolen, bailey, Pain, just to name some of the current players from the Tasmanian team alone who deserve a spot ahead of you!
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
A bit of a concern that O'Keefe is calling the selectors to account through the media - 'Primadona behaviour, sense of entitlement, arrogance....' sound familiar? I guess if he has been around for a while he may feel he has no choice but to make enquiries through 3rd parties but to comment to the press is stupid
Richard
Guest
This is another example of a theory i have that Clarke has actively worked to keep potential captaincy candidates out of the side. Without Ponting and Hussey in the side Clarke is on his own and his captaincy flaws are being exposed. Watson is not an alternative captain its highly debatable if he should even be in the side. Bailey was a logical No6 to take to India and would have been a stabilizing influence in the team and he was over looked. Is it coincidence that no players with proven leadership ability are being admitted to the side? I don't think it is.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
Probably once had a friendly conversation with Simon Katich. That will usually do it.
Brendon
Guest
So they can't be bothered talking to SOK and they don't turn up to the shield final. Heads have to roll
Matt
Guest
Agreed, they are incomprehensibly stupid. They should be working hard to get more talent coming through - you have a bunch of "maybe's", it's common sense to help improve them as much as possible. It's not like we have a solid lineup and don't need the options.
jameswm
Roar Guru
He engaged NSW Chairman of selectors Freddie Freedman to speak to the selectors to ask for feedback. Sounds like a very mature way to approach it. The state Chairmen of selectors report to the NSP. And SOK gets no feedback at all. Seriously, what is the NSP doing here? Wouldn't they want to have good, productive dialogue with one of their fringe players?