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| November 19, 2005 | Saturday | Shawwal 16, 1426 |
Kaneria promises more trouble for England
FAISALABAD, Nov 18: Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria on Friday promised more trouble for England in the second Test. “My best is yet to come and I want more wickets against England,” Kaneria said ahead of the second Test starting here on Sunday.
The wily spinner grabbed four wickets to play a pivotal role in Pakistan’s 22-run win in the first of the three-Test series at Multan.
Kaneria set his team on course for victory after dismissing Ian Bell and Andrew Strauss in his third over on the fifth and final morning. He also accounted for all-rounder Andrew Flintoff and Shaun Udal.
England, set a modest target of 198, were dismissed for 175 in their second innings.
Kaneria, who threatened to use a mystery delivery in the first Test, said the dismissal of England debutant Shuan Udal pleased him the most.
“Getting two wickets right at the start then removing dangerman Flintoff was exciting, but my best delivery was the one with which I dismissed Udal,” said Kenria, who bowled Udal for 18.
“It was a googly which spun and went on to hit the leg-stump, with the batsman having no clue,” said Kaneria, only the second Hindu after Anil Dalpat to play test cricket for Pakistan.
He said the side was confident of the winning the match on the fifth-day track.
“We knew we could pull off a victory. When (Geraint) Jones and Udal had that partnership we knew it was just a matter of one wicket and we would be there,” he said.
Jones and Udal threatened Pakistan with a 49-run stand for the eighth wicket before fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar polished off the tail with a three-wicket burst.
Kaneria said the encouraging words from captain Inzamam-ul-Haq helped him put in a match-winning performance.
“The captain was very encouraging and he boosted my confidence. He asked for two early wickets and I am happy that I did that,” he said.
Kaneria said he did not believe England were vulnerable against spin.
“They have practised hard to play spin before coming on this tour and their best practice came when they played against Shane Warne in the Ashes,” said Kaneria, who also got bowling tips from the legendary leg-spinner on his team’s tour of Australia this year.
“He (Warne) advised me not to rush through my overs and to change my line a bit,” said Kaneria.
He said he had fond memories of Faisalabad where he made his Test debut against England five years ago.
“It’s a memorable venue for me. Although I did not get much wickets in my first Test but there is always a chance to do better,” he said.—AFP
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