The "One-Hit Wonder" and the MCG Masterclass - Steve O'Keefe Joins the Couch
In a special Christmas edition of Chin Music, Tom Gallop is joined by the festive Moises Henriques and Australian spin bowler Steve "SOK" O'Keefe. Freshly retired and living the "quiet life" up the coast, SOK brings his signature self-deprecating humor and sharp cricketing brain to discuss the Boxing Day Test, his historic feats in India, and why he thinks Mitchell Starc is Australia’s true "crown jewel."
The Pune Masterclass: "A One-Hit Wonder"
The conversation inevitably turns to SOK’s legendary 12-wicket haul in Pune in 2017—still some of the best figures by a visiting spinner in India. Despite the accolades, SOK is quick to poke fun at himself.
"12 for 70... one-hit wonder, that’s how my career will go down, but at least I had that one hit," he jokes. He recalls a rocky start to that match, being "none for nearly 30" and trying to hide from coach Darren Lehmann in the sheds. "Darren was chasing me around the change rooms... he said, 'Mate, that is a pile of shit... you need to sort it out because you're going to lose us the Test.'"
A quick tactical shift to a round-arm approach suggested by Steve Smith changed everything. "Once I’d found my length and realized this wicket was spinning sideways... I was like, 'this is just heaven.'"
The Great Bowling Debate: Who is Australia's Best?
With Josh Hazlewood sidelined for the rest of the series, the boys debate who holds the most value in the Australian attack. While many point to Hazlewood’s consistency or Pat Cummins’ leadership, SOK makes a passionate case for Mitchell Starc.
"I think about Starc’y and I think he's the crown in the jewel, personally speaking," SOK says. "He’s 35... he’s still bowling 140 plus, taking big wickets, scoring handy runs, and winging them in from the fence. He is just the best out of the three."
Moises adds that Hazlewood once told him that when a wicket gets truly flat in the subcontinent or late in an Australian summer, "no one else can take a wicket except for Starc’y."
Predictions for the Boxing Day Test
As the series heads to Melbourne locked at 1-1, the panel offers their "locks" for the MCG:
- SOK’s Pick: Usman Khawaja to score a century. "Pressure can burst pipes, but it can also create diamonds." He also tips Scott Boland to take a five-wicket haul on his home turf.
- Moises’ Pick: Marnus Labuschagne to find form with a hundred and Mitchell Starc to tear through the Indian lineup.
- Tom’s "Big Call": A controversial prediction that India will actually clinch the win in Melbourne, much to the dismay of his co-hosts.
Sledging, "Bunnies," and Iconic Gifts
The episode wraps up with some classic "SOK" stories about his days as a competitive (and often vocal) presence on the field. He admits to targeting the "weakest targets" in the opposition to build his confidence.
"I went for the weakest... if a young kid came out for their first game, I would just drill him: 'You don't deserve to be here... the only reason you're getting picked is because Greg Chappell loves young cricketers.'"
The festive spirit returns at the end with a gift exchange. While Moises receives a "collector's item" signed jumper from Tom's university days, SOK is genuinely touched to receive a pair of match-worn Socceroos SOKs from Tim Cahill. "That is actually one of the best gifts I've ever been given," SOK admits, momentarily dropping the sarcasm.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
