Australian spinner Steve O'Keefe has revealed his former NSW captain Simon Katich saved his cricket career.
In an interview with The Guardian, O'Keefe revealed that he almost could have walked away from the sport if not for the guidance of Katich.
The turning point came in a Sheffield Shield match between New South Wales and Adelaide, when paceman Josh Hazelwood was withdrawn from the match through injury, O'Keefe was selected to replace him.
It didn't go well for O'Keefe. After he opened the bowling he finished the day with figures of 0-80.
“I literally went home that night and thought, ‘that’s it, that’s your career basically done and dusted’,” O'Keefe said.
Katich didn't agree with him.
“I came in the next morning. Simon Katich put his arm around me and said, ‘you did a great job yesterday. You’re going to start up again for us this morning. This game will break open and you’re going to play a big part."
Remarkably the wicket broke up, O'Keefe finished with seven wickets and he's never looked back.
"If I played under another captain I could have been rinsed at 0/80, and not bowled another over.”
At the age of 32 O'Keefe has earned his place in the Australia squad for the upcoming tour of India. Although he is still maligned by some in the cricket world, he doesn't let the criticism get to him anymore.
“Now when I play my cricket I have that belief in myself. When Warne and these guys come out and say ‘he doesn’t spin it enough,’ and ‘his best ball’s not good enough to get batters out,’ it’s almost like white noise because I’ve heard it for so long,” he said.
“But I’m at peace because I know right now this is about the best time possible for getting picked. I’m comfortable in my own skin. I’ve got a bit of skin in the game because I’ve got some wickets, but I’m also comfortable that if it doesn’t go well I’ve given it a good shot.”
