Jason Krejza wants a return to happier times © AFP Enlarge

Jason Krejza clings to the belief he can recover from an ankle injury in time to be considered for the first Test against South Africa in Perth next week. Krejza's comeback appeared to be on track until he withdrew from Tasmania's side for a one-day match on Sunday, but the national selectors are hopeful he will be ready and named him in the 12-man squad on Monday.

Krejza, who has not played since taking 12 wickets on debut in Nagpur, is confident he will be able to prove his fitness in an FR Cup contest against South Australia on Wednesday. The offspinner has received support from Alex Kountouris, the Australia physiotherapist.

"He has been running and bowling over the past few days," Kountouris said in the Australian. "He was comfortable bowling, but struggled a bit changing direction. Because it was a one-day game they thought it best not to risk him with a Test match coming up. My expectation is that he will play on Wednesday and be right to go."

The coach Tim Nielsen backed Kountouris' stance. "[Jason] hasn't had as much bowling as we would've liked since India because of Brisbane and then the injury," Nielsen said in the Sydney Morning Herald. "He has a one-dayer with Tasmania this week in Adelaide, and we're hopeful he'll be right for that, and then join us in Perth." The first Test starts at the WACA on December 17.

Krejza said on Sunday his fielding was the major issue and the injury "wasn't too bad" with batting or bowling. "I obviously don't want to be a detriment to the team and if the ball gets past me I can't get it," he said. "Give it a couple of more days and it will be right to go."

He said he was trying to stay relaxed after his record-breaking debut. "You can get two hundreds in a row and then get five ducks in a row," he said. "So I have just got to be able to prepare myself as much as I can to be able to bowl well in the game if I get an opportunity."