The Surfer

Once rejected Krejza spins miracles

Peter Roebuck, in the Age , looks at the remarkable achievement of Jason Krejza in capturing eight wickets on Test debut.

Peter Roebuck, in the Age, looks at the remarkable achievement of Jason Krejza in capturing eight wickets on Test debut.

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With the possible exception of family members, did any Australian seriously expect Jason Krejza to take a swag of wickets? Australia has been struggling for wickets all campaign and suddenly one bloke took eight in one fell swoop. In a trice, he has become the team's second-highest wicket-taker on tour. Good on 'im. He has a big heart.

Krejza was amazing. His head could easily have dropped as he was repeatedly ignored in the last few weeks. Everyone capable of sending down a spinner of any description was preferred to him. Players were flown in from Melbourne, the ball was tossed to occasional colleagues and still he was not given his chance. At one stage, he looked about as likely to get a go as the manager's wife.

Australia tour of India

Brydon Coverdale is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. He tweets here