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Waugh spins the spin on Krejza |
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Nov 19, 2009 at 12:00 AM |
Jason Krejza has struggled at the spin-friendly SCG over the past few days, but Mark Waugh still believes he's a better option than Nathan Hauritz for next week's first Test.
Hauritz is tipped to be named in the Australian squad today for the series-opener against the West Indies starting in Brisbane on November 26.
Krejza was dumped after taking 1-204 in Australia's defeat in the first Test against South Africa in Perth 11 months ago and overtaken in the pecking order by NSW's Hauritz.
The Tasmanian off-spinner has hit back this season with six wickets at 27.16 in the first two rounds of the Sheffield Shield. But Krejza only took 2-143 off 37 overs during the first two days of this week's Shield clash against NSW at the SCG.
However, former Australian Test cricketer Waugh said yesterday he would still put the fiery 26-year-old in his 11 for the Brisbane Test.
''I think he [Hauritz] has done OK, but I think Krejza can do better,'' Waugh said. ''He [Krejza] is more of an attacking bowler and has been bowling well so far this season from what I have seen. He probably hasn't got the wickets he's deserved but he is bowling well.
''Hauritz, whilst he did OK, he had a chance to win us the first [Ashes] Test in Cardiff and he didn't. They didn't pick him in the last Test at The Oval which was a Bunsen [turner], so someone hasn't got a lot of faith in him.
''I've always thought Krejza was a good bowler and I just think he needs time. I see him as a bigger wicket-taker in Test cricket than Hauritz.''
Krejza's only other Test apart from Perth was in Nagpur in November 2008 when he claimed match figures of 12-358 against India.
Tasmania was 2-182 at stumps on day two last night after NSW declared its first innings at 8-420.
Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke converted his overnight score of 92 not out into a century before falling to Tim MacDonald on 106.
Meanwhile, Victoria lost first-innings points for the first time in 13 matches when Western Australia bowled it out for 246 in their Shield clash at the MCG yesterday. The Bushrangers looked good at 0-63 in reply to WA's 277, before first-game paceman Michael Hogan dismissed Chris Rogers and David Hussey. AAP
BY GREG BUCKLE |
