He’s only weeks removed from becoming the latest Test cricketer for Australia thanks to his efforts with the ball, but on Saturday Stephen O’Keefe smashed a ton for his grade club Manly-Warringah in their big total of 6-364 against Hawkesbury.
MEET YOUR SIXERS HEROES THIS SUNDAY AT THE SCG!
Batting at number five for the Waratahs, O’Keefe scored a dashing 105* off just 145 deliveries which included seven fours and three sixes. In his second match of the season for Manly he scored his first ton in three years with an innings described as “patience mixed with power” by his club side.
In fellow good fortune for the Sixers, Academy captain Adam Crosthwaite also scored a century in the same match, finishing with 125 from 202 balls including 16 fours. Crosthwaite so far leads the Academy side for runs scored after two matches, and was heavily involved in a record 98-run partnership with Stewart McCabe last Thursday night against the Thunder Academy.
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Elsewhere in the Sydney Grade competition, young all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis continued his strong form with the bat, top scoring for Sutherland with 79 runs (102 balls), while new signing Ryan Carters (58) was also the leading scorer in action for the Cricket Australia XI in their tour match against India.
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With the fourth round of Sheffield Shield cricket starting today, six Sixers will be in action for the NSW Blues in their match-up with the Southern Redbacks at the SCG, while Jordan Silk will be in action for the Tasmanian Tigers.
Brad Haddin, Sean Abbott, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Stephen O’Keefe and Mitchell Starc will all hoping to help the Blues to maximum points in the fixture, their first at home in the 2014/15 season.