Steve O'Keefe's six-wicket haul leaves India in trouble against Australia

24 February 2017 12:09

Australia spinner Steve O'Keefe took six for 35 as India dramatically collapsed on the second day of the first Test in Pune.

The left-armer, playing just his fifth Test, ran through the India order after taking the new ball, putting Australia in complete control as the hosts were skittled for just 105.

Australia, who claimed a first innings lead of 155, extended their advantage by reaching 143 for four before the close.

The day began with India wrapping up Australia's first innings for 260 in the first over of the day, Mitchell Starc holing out in the deep off Ravichandran Ashwin after adding just four to his overnight 57.

But that was about as good as it got for India as Josh Hazlewood removed Murali Vijay to get their reply off to a poor start.

Starc then had Cheteshwar Pujara and dangerman Virat Kohli caught behind the wicket in the space of three balls.

O'Keefe took centre stage with three wickets in one over. KL Rahul resisted with 67 from 94 deliveries but his dismissal, finding David Warner at long-off off O'Keefe, began a capitulation that saw them lose seven wickets for just 11 runs.

Two balls later Ajinkya Rahane was brilliantly caught at slip by Peter Handscomb and, two balls after that, Wriddhiman Saha edged to Steve Smith.

In the following over Nathan Lyon had Ashwin caught at short leg by Handscomb after the ball took a lucky bounce off the batsman's foot.

O'Keefe had Jayant Yadav stumped by Matthew Wade before Ravi Jadeja hit him to Starc in the deep. Umesh Yadav became O'Keefe's sixth victim in the space of 24 deliveries when he was caught by Smith at slip.

Ashwin took three of the four wickets to fall as Australia began their second innings but Smith, who was dropped three times, was unbeaten on 59.

Source: PA