LOWERHOUSE have stated their intent ahead of the new Lancashire League season by snapping up Australian Test star Jason Krejza as their professional.

The Liverpool Road outfit were rocked 12 days ago when their original choice Damien Wright was stopped from taking up his role by the Victoria Cricket Board.

But they have landed a major coup with the signature of off-spinner Krejza, who announced his arrival of the international scene in November last year by returning the remarkable figures of 8-215 in the first innings of fourth Test in India.

Those figures created the unenviable world record of a bowler conceding the most runs for any bowler on debut, while also taking most wickets in his first Test match innings.

Krejza averages 23 with the bat in first-class cricket and has taken 67 wickets in playing 30 matches since his debut for New South Wales in 2004.

He has experience of playing in the UK with spells at Leicestershire in the County Championship and with club side Greenock in Scotland.

Lowerhouse chairman Stan Heaton said: “He is a genuine all-rounder and will be a huge influence on all the players.”