O'Keefe spins way into record books with 12

Stephen O'Keefe has capped a remarkable match as the most successful foreign spinner ever in a single Test in India.

O'Keefe collected 6-35 on Saturday to go with his 6-35 in India's first innings to finish with match figures of 12-70 and zoom past former record-holder and compatriot Jason Krejza, who claimed 12-358 in Nagpur in November, 2008.

The 31-year-old now boasts the best match figures by any Australian left-arm spinner and was the driving force behind Australia securing a 1-0 series win, their first victory in India since 2004.

Operating from around the wicket on day three, O'Keefe removed right-handers Murali Vijay (2), Virat Kohli (13), Ajinkya Rahane (18), Ravichandran Ahswin (8), Wriddihiman Saha (5) and Cheteshwar Pujara (31) inside 13 chaotic overs.

O'Keefe had the ball on a string on Saturday to mesmerize the home side considered to be the best players of spin in the world.

He first removed Vijay in the fifth over with a ball that straightened and hit pad before bat, and after a long think umpire Richard Kettleborough raised his right index finger.

Vijay consulted with opening partner KL Rahul and decided to review but ball tracking technology agreed with the umpire's call.

Next to go was the prize scalp of Kohli, who after surviving an lbw appeal that would have been overturned if Australia had chosen to review, was bowled without playing a shot and was left to exit off the field with off stump lying flat on the ground.

O'Keefe then teamed up with spin twin Lyon to remove Rahane, who hit a simple catch to the off-spinner at cover, before an over later Ashwin was out lbw to give the left-armer his 10th wicket for the match.

Holding the ball above his head, O'Keefe saluted the crowd to celebrate the milestone, and an over later he did it again for his fifth wicket in the innings when he removed Saha leg before.

Image Id: 14C9B53442B140508779DADE9BE63B03 Image Caption: O'Keefe salutes his 10th wicket in Pune // BCCI

His final wicket was that of Pujara, the only Indian batsman to reach 15, out lbw to a ball that straightened and would have cannoned into the stumps.

O'Keefe's haul of 12-70 is the fourth best by an Australian bowler away from home, with only Bob Massie's 16-137 at Lord's in 1972, Fred Spofforth's 14-90 at The Oval in 1882 and Clarrie Grimmett's 13-173 in Durban in 1936 ahead of him.

With the wicket of Kohli, O'Keefe moved past Ray Bright's 7-182 in the 1986 tied Test in Madras (now Chennai) as the best match figures by an Australian southpaw spinner on Indian soil.

O'Keefe becomes just the sixth Australian left-arm spinner to take 10 wickets in a Test match, and the first since Michael Bevan in January 1997, joining Bert Ironmonger, Charlie Macartney, Allan Border, Bright and Bevan.

Only two other Australian left-arm bowlers have taken a 10-wicket haul in the subcontinent; Allan Davidson claimed 12-124 in December, 1959, and Geoff Dymock produced 12-166 in October, 1979. 

O'Keefe's figures were the 10th best by an Australian of all-time, home or away, and the best match return by an Australian in 27 years, since Bruce Reid's 13-148 in the 1990 Boxing Day Test against England.

Top spin

The five best figures by a visiting slow bowler in Indian Test matches

Stephen O'Keefe (Aus) 12-70, Pune February 2017
Jason Krejza (Aus) 12-358, Nagpur Nov 2008
Richie Benaud (Aus) 11-105, Kolkata Nov 1956
Hedley Verity (Eng) 11-153, Chennai Feb 1934
Monty Panesar (Eng) 11-210, Mumbai Nov 2012

Best of the best

The top 10 all-time Australia bowling figures in a Test match

Bob Massie 16-137 v England @ Lord's, June 1972
Fred Spofforth 14-90 v England @ The Oval, August 1882
Clarrie Grimmett 14-199 v South Africa @ Adelaide, January 1932
Monty Noble 13-77 v England @ MCG, January 1902
Fred Spofforth 13-110 v England @ MCG, January 1879
Bruce Reid 13-148 v England @ MCG, December 1990
Clarrie Grimmett 13-173 v South Africa @ Durban, February 1936
Merv Hughes 13-217 v West Indies @ WACA, December 1988
Arthur Mailey 13-236 v England @ MCG, February 1921
Stephen O'Keefe 12-70 v India @ Pune, February 2017