Aus media hail SOK
Steve O'Keefe gave a superhero performance in Australia's stunning three-day first Test win to change the landscape of their series in India, Australia's media said Sunday.
Left-arm spinner O'Keefe, known as SOK, captured the identical figures of six for 35 in both innings to spin Australia to a massive 333-run win over Test cricket's top-ranked team on a viciously turning track in Pune on Saturday.
It was Australia's first Test win in India since 2004 and ended the hosts' unbeaten streak of 19 Tests in the opening match of the four-Test series.
O'Keefe was hailed a hero along with skipper Steve Smith's fighting first century in India and his 10th as Australia's captain.
"Steve O'Keefe led Australia to one of its greatest Test victories on Indian soil with a superhero performance that rewrote the record books and humiliated the shellshocked hosts inside three days," the Sun-Herald said.
The Australian newspaper said it was a triumph India's billion-plus people didn't see coming.
The Sunday Telegraph said O'Keefe shattered 84 years of Test history on the sub-continent to pilot Australia to one of their most famous victories.
"Written off as the worst Australian team to ever tour cricket's most imposing fortress, a great sporting upset is now firmly on the cards," it said.
Former Australia Test fast bowler Mitchell Johnson tweeted: "And the coach of India says Steve O'Keefe is "Steady." Well done Steady O'Keefe, keep it up."
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