Most Popular posts from other blogs...
Rookie World Cup spinner Jason Krejza is doing everything he can to prepare for Australia's opening match, but his place in the side is under threat from all angles.
The off-spinner, who only made his one-day international debut on February 6 in Perth, found himself thrust into the spotlight after Nathan Hauritz and Xavier Doherty failed to make the trip to the subcontinent because of injuries.
Krejza is the only frontline spinner in defending champions Australia's 15-man World Cup squad. It's a dream assignment for a tweaker to be sent to a six-week tournament in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India.
But Krejza, who has taken 1-56 and 0-46 in Australia's warm-up matches against India and South Africa in Bangalore, could fall victim to the versatility of John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson and leg-spinner Steve Smith, who are seen as reliable late-order hitters.
Australia's possible lineup could include quicks Johnson, Brett Lee and Shaun Tait, with another 20 overs to come from Hastings, Smith and opener Shane Watson, along with part-time spinner David Hussey.
Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
"I'm just going to bowl the best I can," Krejza told reporters after showing signs of improvement in Tuesday's effort against the Proteas.
"However it all pans out for me, that's how I'm going to play my cricket from now on.
"I am the only (specialist) spinner but if 'Smithy' is bowling well and they are only going to play (him and) a couple of part-timers then so be it.
"I've just got to be bowling well and prepared to play."
Krejza, who played two Tests in 2008, is understandably still getting his head around his new role as Australia's ODI frontline spinner.
He sought the advice of batting coach Justin Langer and bowling coach Troy Cooley after struggling at times in Sunday's warm-up fixture against India, in a performance which skipper Ricky Ponting said would be a learning experience for the off-spinner.
"I looked at the footage and have been working out with the coach (Tim Nielsen) and the captain where I've got to bowl and what my role is at the moment," said Krejza, 28.
"It's all about building towards that first game,"he added hopefully.
"We've gone through a lot of footage and I spoke with all the senior guys here, from Justin Langer to Troy Cooley.
"We're just working towards that first game. Game by game the plan is to bowl differently against each team, have different roles to play in every game.
"That's just how it could work. We've had a good chat and a good watch of some footage...I've had some pretty good feedback so far."
While Krejza could possibly find himself 12th man for Australia's opening World Cup game on Monday against Zimbabwe in Ahmedabad, he knows it's a six-week tournament with Ponting's men facing six group matches, ahead of a likely quarter-final berth.
A noted wicket-taker, Krejza is keen to play dual roles.
"It varies during a game. If we're having a flyer in a game and there's an option to attack...that will be relayed to me by the captain," he said.
"Right now, I'm just fine-tuning lengths and speeds."
Is Krejza a wicket-taker worth gambling on in your World Cup squad? Sign-up now and pick your side!
|
0 comments:
Post a Comment