Krejza Puts New Spin On Tough Decks
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday November 15, 2008
ENERGISED spinner Jason Krejza believes he will display all the skills necessary this summer to be a long-term solution to Australia's spin situation, eager not to be pigeon-holed by his stunning debut in Nagpur last week.
The Tasmanian tweaker realises he will not be assisted as generously by Australian pitches after his dizzying 12-wicket haul in India, but is more than ready to tone down his aggressive approach for the sake of the team."It's going to be a different role. I was bowling to take wickets and always attacking in [the Nagpur] Test. Now I'll be required to tie up an end and keep pressure on," Krejza said."My confidence is very high at the moment, and I want to enjoy it because I know it's not always going to be a bed of roses. It's great to have the support of your captain and those in the team, who know you can do the job."There will be different challenges for me now, and I'm looking forward to them. There will be grounds that don't offer as much turn or footmarks. I am still going to be an attacking spinner, I just want to show that I can be successful at any ground in the world."I've got an opportunity to get a couple more Tests under my belt. Once you're at the top you want to stay there - it's just beginning for me. There will be a lot more balls to bowl and a lot more learning I've got to do."I definitely wouldn't say I've secured my place in the team."Fresh from a mind-boggling 12-358 in the fourth Test against India, the off-spinner will be presented with a vastly different task in the opening Test against New Zealand at the Gabba, starting on Thursday.Australian coach Tim Nielsen said: "I suppose the toughest thing for him and for us will be that the expectations - now that he's taken 12 wickets in his first Test - don't become too large. He understands how much hard work went into getting that result and that he turns up in Brisbane aware of what his role is in the team."Even when the great Shane Warne was bowling in Brisbane, his job in the first innings was to be defensive and help the fast bowlers out. And then, as the game wore on and the wicket started to spin a little bit, he came into his own. I think if Jason can understand that and bowl well in both innings, he'll have some good success."Having risen from oblivion to make one of the great Test debuts, Krejza realises there is massive expectation on him to now be the long sought-after solution for Australian spin following the retirements of Warne and Stuart MacGill."I know there is the pressure of expectation but I'm a pretty relaxed guy, and I'm enjoying it more than anything," he said."I am hungry for more success - I love what I do."Krejza's only appearance at the Gabba to date was one over for NSW in his Sheffield Shield debut in 2004. It cost him 18 runs for no wicket.While Nielsen said Krejza would need to tighten his lines to ensure his figures don't blow out to anywhere near Nagpur proportions, he doesn't expect Krejza to be a passenger in the attack, saying his ability to extract bounce could trouble the Black Caps."He does tend to come over the top of the ball nicely as an off spinner," Nielsen said. "His first wicket in Test cricket, Rahul Dravid, definitely did bounce and spin and caught him on the glove. So it's a real bonus for him."The Australians are likely to whittle down their 13-man squad to 12 on Tuesday, by which time they should know the health of Michael Clarke and Brett Lee, who are both suffering from chest infections.The pair are being closely monitored by medical staff in Sydney and are due to fly to Brisbane on Monday, where they will be put through their paces to determine whether they will take part in the contest. Andrew Symonds could yet play if Clarke is deemed unfit, although Nielsen hinted another specialist batsman could be flown in if that scenario were to arise.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald