‘I’m so bullish about this group’: O’Keefe backs Australia to win in India

Former Australian spinner Steve O’Keefe has provided his recommendation to the present squad touring India and stated that they should be prepared on their toes and strike when the iron is scorching.

The first Test of the upcoming four-match sequence begins on February 9 in Nagpur.

“I think they went the sucker punch first-up where they could get ahead in the series,” O’Keefe instructed the Herald and The Age.

“I’m so bullish about this team,” he stated. “Lots of these guys who’re a part of that (2017) expertise would have discovered a lot from that. At occasions we acquired shut, and the subsequent time turns into just a little bit simpler. I consider that’s going to be the case this time.

“We’re going over with a strong batting group who play spin really well. Marnus (Labuschagne) hasn’t played over there but is a good player of spin, we’ve seen that already. Cameron Green is elite, so I feel this group is strong.”

Recalling Australia’s win within the Pune Test of 2017, he stated, “The pitch spun a great deal,” O’Keefe stated. “Steve played an amazing innings.”

“It’s simply attention-grabbing over there, you’ve simply acquired to get forward of the sport, and it’s very exhausting to get forward in India. But that’s the important thing.

“They very rarely give you an opportunity. And when you can sniff it, you’ve got to take full advantage of it. You’ve got to try and find a way to accelerate the game, so you’re so far ahead of them that they’re coming from well behind.”