Pakistan's leg-spinner warns India of further trouble by AFP

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Player:	Danish Kaneria
Event:	Pakistan in India 2004/05

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DateLine: 15th March 2005

 

Pakistan's leg-spinner Danish Kaneria warmed up for the second Test against India here and promised a bagful of new tricks to lay the hosts low.

 

The 24-year-old surprised India's batsmen, reputed to be the best players of spin bowling in the world, with creditable figures of 6-150 in 53.4 overs in the drawn first Test at Mohali last week.

 

The last four wickets came of just 36 deliveries on the fourth day to restrict India's first innings lead to 204.

 

"My best is still to come and when it comes I want my team to win," Kaneria told AFP Tuesday ahead of the second Test at the 90,000-capacity Eden Gardens on Wednesday.

 

"I have a few more tricks up my sleeve and would unveil them in the next two Tests."

 

Kaneria, only the second Hindu after Anil Dalpat to play cricket for Pakistan, said he had visited temples on the current tour to seek divine inspiration.

 

"I am a very religious person and what better place to visit temples than India," he said. "Praying gives me extra motivation to do well."

 

Kaneria also spoke to India's spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi to find ways to become a better bowler.

 

"Bedi is an icon of Indian cricket and his advice was extremely valuable," Kaneria said of the former left-arm spinner who finished with 266 Test wickets.

 

Kaneria has grown in stature over the last six months, drawing inevitable comparisons with two other leg-spinners, Australia's Shane Warne and India's Anil Kumble.

 

Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer says Kaneria is as good a bowler as both.

 

"Danish is the jewel in our attack," said Woolmer.

 

"Don't lose him. He bowled with a lot of character in Mohali and showed why he ranks as one of the best leg-spinners in the world, up there with Warne and Kumble."

 

When Kaneria played in Australia earlier this season, finishing the three-Test series against the world champions with 15 wickets, Warne had spoken highly of the Pakistani.

 

"I think Kaneria is a really talented bowler," Warne said then. "But he should not rush through his overs and maybe he should change his line a bit. I think he bowls a little bit too much outside off-stump."

 

Kaneria said he had listened to Warne carefully.

 

"It was great on the part of Warne to advise me. I am much slower through my overs now and bowl on the stumps," he said.

 

"I just hope I can pass this Indian tour with flying colours. That will be very satisfying."

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)