"Tall poppy syndrome": O'Keefe slams 'unjustified' public response to Australia's shocking first Test performance

Former Australian bowler Steve O’Keefe has defended the Australian Test team after their disastrous first match against India, calling the backlash “unjustified”.

O’Keefe played nine tests for Australia between 2014-2017 and appeared on Afternoons with Jimmy Smith to criticise the public’s reaction to the loss.

“It frustrates me… I think the pile on is unjustified,” O’Keefe said.

“I think the pile on is just indicative of a lot of people wanting to come out, tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and latch onto this team.

“I think the pile on has been rough… however, we do expect a high standard of that team so there’s some frustrations out there but they’re not coming from my end.”

O’Keefe urged the Australian selectors to keep the same eleven for the second test in Adelaide, thinking their batters will respond emphatically.

“We’re looking at a team that is number on in the world,” O’Keefe outlined.

“The stats will tell you the batting team has won five out of five (at Optus Stadium)... this is a champion team for a reason.

“You put these guys in a corner and they’ll respond, and they (the Australian batting core) have done it time and time again.

“I’m backing this Australian team to turn it around.”

The Aussies have until the second test begins on the 6th of December to reverse their batting woes.