Kaneria warns England of mystery delivery

LAHORE—Pakistan’s fast rising leg-spinner Danish Kaneria started mind games ahead of Saturday’s first Test against England, saying he had a mystery delivery for English batsmen. “I have developed a mystery delivery and hope it will confuse the English batsmen,” said Kaneria, who is tipped to lead Pakistan’s spin attack in the three-match series.
The first Test starts at Multan on November 12. “I am a student of the game so I try to learn new things every day and this new delivery is the result of my hard work and learning process,” the 24-year-old said Tuesday.
Pakistan have kept their selection plans secret amid suggestions that the home team will enter the first Test with two spinners. Besides Kaneria, Pakistan have veteran leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed in their squad of 16 for the first two Tests.
Pakistan’s plans, however, have not been a worry for England. “I’m sure they will put us under a lot of pressure through spin, but it’s good to know that we’ve faced their spinners before,” said Michael Vaughan, referring to experience facing the two during the English domestic season.
Kaneria took 32 wickets for Essex while Mushtaq took an impressive 80 for Sussex in the last county season. “I know they have faced us before but playing spinners in county cricket and playing them on subcontinent pitches are totally different,” said Kaneria.
Since making his Test debut against England at Faisalabad in 2000, Kaneria has made great strides. The lanky spinner, after bamboozling the hapless Bangladeshis in 2002 and 2003, took an impressive 15 wickets in three Tests against Australia in Australia last year.
That included 7-188 at Sydney, which not only earned him praise from the legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne but also some useful tips. Kaneria then played key roles in Pakistan’s two 1-1 series draws in India and the West Indies earlier this year.
“My role is to take wickets and I am happy that I am fulfilling my role. Now I gear up for England and want to play a lead role in Pakistan’s wins,” he said. Kaneria took 19 wickets in three India Tests, including seven wickets in Pakistan’s series levelling win at Bangalore. He now has 132 wickets in 28 Tests. Pakistan Captain Inzamam-ul Haq acknwoledged Kaneria’s hard work and progress. “Kaneria has become our trump card. I hope he will deliver for us in the England series,” said Inzamam-ul Haq.—Agencies