A left arm orthodox spinner, Steve O’Keefe, nicknamed SOK, made his First Class debut for NSW in 2005-06 as a 19 year old rookie and boasts very impressive career stats.
In 2010, he was selected on Australia’s Tour to England v Pakistan. The left arm orthodox spinner starred in his T-20 international debut, taking 3-29.
In 2011, he won the prestigious Steve Waugh Medal, voted by his peers as the Best Player for NSW in that season. In October 2011, Steve was announced as captain of the NSW Blues for the 2011-12 season. He was also an integral part of the Sydney Sixer’s side that won the 2011-12 BBL and Champions League titles.
In 2013-14 he was the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield with 41 wickets at the impressive average of 20. His consistent performances over many years, finally earned him a baggy green Test cap. He made his Test debut on 22 October 2014, Pakistan series in the UAE. after receiving Australian Test player # 439. He was Australia's leading wicket-taker for the match with 4 wickets out of only 11 taken.
SOK was recalled to the Australian Test lineup for the 2016 Sydney Test in which he was the leading wicket-taker with 3/63. He also performed strongly on the Sri Lanka tour in July 2016 where he took 13 wickets in two matches before he injured his hamstring which cut his tour short.
After another strong performance in the Sydney Test in 2017, he earned a place in Australia's Test tour to India. In February 2017, his 11 years of hard toil finally paid off, when he took an astonishing 12-70 to win man of the match in Australia's upset Test victory over India in Pune. In doing so, SOK recorded the best figures ever by a touring spinner on the sub-continent!
In the 2018-19 BBL, he had an outstanding campaign capturing 19 wickets for the Sydney Sixers. The following season, he was again a member of the victorious Sydney Sixers BBL team.
During the 2019-20 Sheffield Shield season, SOK captured his 300th First Class wicket, at the remarkable average of 24.6 and announced his retirement from First Class cricket at the end of the season.
SOK played 9 Tests for Australia. He will go down as one of the country’s finest spin bowlers having collected 301 First Class scalps at an impressive average of 24.66 runs each - he also scored almost 2,356 First Class runs at an average of 25.60 with the bat.
In 2020-21, he played in the BBL and was an integral member of the Sydney Sixers team winning back to back titles.
SOK announced his retirement in February 2024, after playing in the final for his beloved Sydney Sixers, where he received a wonderful send off from the 40,000 plus home crowd at the SCG.
Awards / Achievements
2010/11 Steve Waugh Medal NSW Best player.
Took over 300 First Class Wickets
Played 9 Tests for Australia
Member of the Sydney Sixers squad who won BBL 1, BBL9 and BBL 10.
Member of the Sydney Sixers squad who won the 2012 Champions Champions League in South Africa.
Leading wicket-taker in the 2013/14 Sheffield Shield with 41 wickets at an average of 20.
Has Represented Australia in Test and T20.
Career Highlights
7 x T20 Internationals for Australia.
9 x Tests for Australia
Australia A game V Sri Lanka A in 2010/11 he took 7 for 35 with the ball and scored 61 & 47 with the bat.
Australia A game V England in 2010/11 he took 4/88 with the ball and top scored 66 & 27 with the bat.
2010/11 Steve Waugh Medalist.
Best Test Match bowling figures v India in India by an Australian, taking 12 wickets for 70
Sydney Sixers member who won the 2012 Champions League in South Africa.
NSW Captaincy.
Leading wicket taker out of all spin bowlers in the 2012/13 Sheffield Shield. Steve collected 24 wickets at an impressive average of 22.
Match figures of 11/159 against South Australia in the 2013/14 Sheffield Shield.
Leading wicket-taker in the 2013/14 Sheffield Shield with 41 wickets at an average of 20.
Australian V West Indies at the SCG Jan 2016, leading wicket-take with 3/63.
Match figures of 10/64 and 78* in the Australian V Sri Lanka X| First Class Fixture July 2016.
Australia V Pakistan at the SCG Jan 2017, 3/53.