da betsson： While White, a composed batsman and part-time legspinner, is thesafer option in an unenviable choice, Ponting seemed to lean slightlytowards Krejza despite his problems in the tour game
da marjack bet： Ali Cook08-Oct-2008
Ricky Ponting is convinced the Test players will not treat Krejza in the same brutal manneras Yuvraj Singh did in the warm-up © Getty Images
A few screams from Jason Krejza helped convince Ricky Ponting that theoffspinner has what it takes to become an international bowler. Krejza,who is jostling with Cameron White for the final spot in Australia’sfirst-Test team, was angry the Board President’s XI had declaredtheir second innings – even though at the time he had the unflatteringfigures of 0 for 76 from 11 overs.The closure left him with a match return of 0 for 199 and seemed to endhis immediate chances of making his debut after being catapulted over BeauCasson into the squad. “One positive coming from that game was I couldhear all this yelling and screaming coming from the background and it wasJason on the boundary,” Ponting said. “He was really disappointed not toget another bowl. For me that was a good sign.”While White, a composed batsman and part-time legspinner, is thesafer option in an unenviable choice, Ponting seemed to lean slightlytowards Krejza despite his problems in the tour game. “You couldunderstand that something like that would probably have affected him insome way, but if you had a look at him at training [on Tuesday] he bowledprobably the best he’s bowled on the tour.”He’s willing to learn and is still a bit raw because he hasn’t played alot of first-class cricket, but he’s got all the skills he needs to becomea very good bowler.” Krejza has appeared in 24 four-day games while White,who is Bryce McGain’s understudy in Victoria, has 161 state and countywickets at 38.24.Ponting knows there is a significant difference between time in the netsand life in the middle, but Krejza has received special attention on howto cope with the various demands of the India batsmen. The captain is alsoconvinced the Test players will not treat Krejza in the same brutal manneras Yuvraj Singh did in the warm-up.”The more senior guys have probably got a fair bit more pressure on themthan the tour game,” he said. “I think he can do a good job if he gets anopportunity.”Ponting also said White could shine in Tests and was keen for him to gainfurther top-level opportunities. “The more exposure we give him atinternational level the better,” he said. “He bowled well on the A tourhere, albeit mainly in one-dayers, but the more we can put him insituations against better players the better he’ll become.”While Ponting has a decision to make on who receives a new baggy green,there is one call he won’t be making. Shane Warne said in London onTuesday he would consider a return if Ponting asked him to help out.”I’m not sure how much bowling he’s done,” Ponting said before being toldit was a few balls. “That’s good preparation for four Tests in India.That’s not our focus at the moment.”With this series coming up – we’ve know it’s been coming up for a while -if we were going to do it, we’d have done it before now. I haven’t spokento Warney at all about making a comeback – I’m pretty sure nobody has.”He’s said a few times he’s happily retired. Our challenge is to find thenext spinner in Australia who is going to help us win a few Tests.” At themoment it’s between Krejza and White.
