From the land of Boon and Ponting another great Tasmanian International Cricketer
Jason "Krazy" Krejza
Jason John Krejza (born January 14, 1983, Sydney, Australia) is an Australian cricketer, who plays for the Tasmanian Tigers and Leicestershire. Krejza's father was a footballer from Czechoslovakia and his mother was born in Poland. His nickname is "Krazy".
Playing career
Krejza is an all-rounder, contributing to the team mainly as a right arm off-break bowler, but also as a right handed lower-middle order batsman. He became a regular in the NSW team in 2004/05 but lost his place in 2006/07. However solid form for Sydney Grade team UTS-Balmain led to his inclusion in the NSW limited overs team towards the end of 2006. Krejza is looking to consolidate his place and push for further honors. On December 21, 2006 Krejza announced that he would leave the New South Wales Blues to join the Tasmanian Tigers due to being considered 4th choice behind spinners Stuart MacGill, Nathan Hauritz and Beau Casson in the selection process.[1]
After crossing over mid-season to Tasmania [2006-7 season], Krejza played in 2 Pura Milk Cup games, claiming 5 wickets and scoring a disappointing 17 runs in two innings. However it was in the Ford Ranger cup competition that he made his mark, taking 8 wickets in 4 games whilst also scoring 83 runs, with a top score of 53 not out.
During the offseason, his cricketing career was placed at risk after being caught speeding and drink-driving by Hobart police[1]. He was subsequently suspended from Tasmania's pre-season training and warned to stay away from alcohol by his teams leadership group.[2]
His renewed dedication to cricket saw him excel in season 2007-8. In the Pura Cup, he played 7 games and scored 289 runs at an average of 36.12, with a high score of 63. While he also took 18 wickets at 47.11.
The only downside to his season was that he couldn't break into the one-day side, with incumbent Xavier Doherty being Tasmania's sole spin bowler in the one day arena. He only played one game, and was named 12th man in Tasmania's competition victory against Victoria.
After being named to Australia's A Team tour to India in August, he was selected for Australia's Test tour of India. With his selection, Australian chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said, "Jason Krejza had a good season for Tasmania last year but is a selection very much for Indian conditions.The selectors felt right-arm finger spinners would perform well in India and Jason now has a chance to prove himself at the international level."
Krejza was seen as the second spinner in the squad behind Bryce McGain. However, McGain was sent home injured. Krejza was attacked by the Indian Board President's XI, conceding 0/199 in 31 overs, and he was then excluded from the first three Tests at the expense of McGain's replacement, Cameron White. This was despite captain Ricky Ponting frequently hinting that Krejza would play and predicting that India's senior batsmen would not have the gumption to attack him. Krejza eventually made his debut in the Fourth Test in Nagpur, which Australia must win in order to draw the series and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He came in at the expense of Stuart Clark as Australia elected to field two specialist spinners.[dubious ] His first Test wicket was notable Test batsman Rahul Dravid, and then went on to claim 8 wickets for 215 runs in the 1st innings. In the process, he became the 14th Australian to take 5 or more wickets in an innings on debut and also created the unenviable world-record of conceding the most runs for any bowler on debut.
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Produced by a fan in honor of the hard work and success of Jason Krejza