Melbourne, Dec. 9 : The chairman of Australia’s cricket selection committee, Andrew Hilditch, has said that off-spinner Jason Krejza could be preferred to all rounder Shane Watson for the first Test against the South Africans, beginning next week.

According to Fox Sports, Krejza appears to be the favourite to play ahead of the recalled Shane Watson despite Watson''s outstanding Sheffield Shield match for Queensland last week, when he claimed 7-69 and then scored 81.

"The likelihood is we will play a spinner in Perth. They bowl pretty well there. The breeze suits them, particularly off-spinners. Generally it is a pretty good place to bowl spin," Hilditch said.

Sydney, Dec 8 : Injured spinner Jason Krejza and all-rounder Shane Watson have been recalled to Australia’s 12-man squad for next week’s first Test against South Africa beginning in Perth.

Off-spinner Krejza has been selected subject to fitness after missing the second Test win over New Zealand in Adelaide due to an ankle injury, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The 25-year-old hasn’t played a Test since taking 12 wickets on his debut in the final Test against India in Nagpur last month. Watson edged him out in the opening match of the NZ series in Brisbane.

Sydney, Dec. 6 : Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has said that his team must take all steps to stop Proteas skipper Graeme Smith from enjoying a run feast during the summer Test series.

Watson believes that he has Smith’s number, having watched and played with him during the Indian Premier League for the Shane Warne-led Rajasthan Royals.

He is almost a certain inclusion in the Australian squad for the first Test against South Africa in Perth that begins from December 17.

Watson said last night that getting on top of Smith would be the key to Australia winning the blockbuster three-Test series.

Adelaide, Dec. 2 : Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has backed all-rounders Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson to fire at the WACA during the contest against South Africa, which begins from December 17.

Ponting has said that he will contact Perth curator Cameron Sutherland well before the first Test to uncover whether he plans to use an old strip or one of the WACA Ground''s recently relayed pitches.

The latter wickets have provided pace and bounce for domestic fast bowlers all season, and if Sutherland indeed intends to use a relayed surface for the match against South Africa, Krejza may be facing a third consecutive Test as Australia''s unlucky loser.

Sydney, Nov. 17 : Australian all-rounder Shane Watson could be given first preference ahead of Andrew Symonds in the first Test against New Zealand to be played later this week at the Gabba in Brisbane, because of the inclement weather prevailing in that region.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Watson and Symonds are competing for the sole all-rounder’s berth in the Australian XI.

There is a view within the team management that the prospect of rain and humidity in Brisbane might suit Watson''s bowling strengths.

Melbourne, Nov 17 : Aussie all-rounder Shane Watson has said that he loved bowling to Indian opener Gautam Gambhir because it were a big dog-fight to get him out, but added that the latter was no “Mr Perfect”. The duo was involved in a spat in the third Test at Kotla, where the opener elbowed Watson after the latter was seen passing some comments at him.