The Hindu : Sport : Ponting’s confidence in me was the key: Krejza

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Ponting’s confidence in me was the key: Krejza

Special Correspondent

— Photo: S. Subramanium

BIG HEART: Though Jason Krejza was hit for runs he managed to pick up eight wickets.

Nagpur: Jason Krejza, only the third Australian to claim eight wickets in an innings on Test debut, said that captain Ricky Ponting’s confidence in him had helped produce a performance that has kept Australia in the fourth Test.

“It is still a blur to me,” said the 25-year-old son of a Czech father and Polish mother. “It’s still unbelievable, against the best players of spin in the world, to get returns like that. That’s what is good about Ricky with spin bowling. A lot of spinners do get taken off (when hit) but when you have got a captain that backs you and sets the right fields, it gives you the confidence to keep doing what you are doing.”

Most memorable

Krejza said the dismissal of Rahul Dravid was his most memorable wicket. “It was one that I had worked out in my mind, how to get him out, so definitely one that will stick out in my mind. Ganguly was a good one as well, not being to get as much turn to the left-hander and then being able to out-think him.”

Krejza reckoned Australia had enough wriggle room to force a win. “We have got ourselves into a very good position where we have two batsmen who are looking very good. And we kept them down to round about 400 which is a very competitive total for us to get, get a lead and win the game.”

M. Vijay said the strip on which he had made an impression in India’s first innings was still good for batting, but slowing. “The wicket is a little bit on the slower side now, it’s stopping a bit more,” said the debutant.

“If tomorrow Bhajji (Harbhajan) can bowl them out, it’s good for us in the second innings.”

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