Jason Krejza tells spiked-drink tale

ACA asks team management to be careful after offie reveals that he had tested positive for cocaine in 2006

MELBOURNE: Australian Cricket Association (ACA) has asked the national team in India to take care of Jason Krejza after the spinner disclosed that he had tested positive for cocaine in 2006 as his drink was spiked.

ACA chief executive Paul Marsh said that he was satisfied with the handling of the Krejza issue by the player as well as the Cricket NSW but felt there were concerns about the welfare of the 25-year-old, who is expected to make his Test debut against India in Bangalore next week.

“I have contacted some of the guys in the team, asking them to let us know if there is anything we can do for him (Krejza),” Marsh was quoted as saying in a Melbourne newspaper on Saturday.

“I don’t know what his state of mind is at the moment but we hope this storm blows over quickly so he can concentrate on his cricket because this is going to be a pretty important week for him,” Marsh said.

He also confirmed that all players have been warned about the dangers of drink-spiking, and have been asked to keep a close watch on their drinks in public places, according to the newspaper.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Krejza’s predecessor Colin Miller had also reported a similar incident to Cricket Australia’s chief medical officer Trefor James after he returned from Australia’s 2001 tour of India.

Miller said he “lost 12 hours of my life” after he was given a drink with some unusual lacing at a Melbourne hotel.