When Danish Kaneria was chosen as our sole spinner ahead of Saeed Ajmal for the 2nd Test against New Zealand, I must admit I had my doubts. The reasons were that Ajmal’s recent form was excellent and Kaneria hadn’t been very exciting in the past. But, that was the old Kaneria as I was about to find out. As the ball ran to the boundary in the 2nd Test, I saw a slim chap racing after it and could not believe what I was hearing when the commentator referred to him as Danish Kaneria.
He ain't heavy...Kaneria is lifted by a team mate as Imran Farhat appreciates his new figure
Having picked up three wickets in each innings of the 2nd Test, Kaneria ripped out the heart of the New Zealand middle order with four wickets in the on-going 3rd Test, after the fast bowlers were finding it difficult to break through the New Zealand line up. The benefits of a fitter Kaneria are clear to see, not only with the ball but in the outfield also.
Should he maintain his form and fitness, he’d probably be a shoe-in for the Test side with Ajmal reserved for the shorter forms. At one point, Kaneria bowled unchanged throughout a whole session bringing valuable respite to the fast bowlers. It would be difficult for Ajmal to do something like this as finger spinning involves a lot of wear and tear on the hands.
With New Zealand taking a first innings lead it will be up to our bowlers to keep Pakistan in the game; Kaneria in particular.
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December 13th, 2009 at 2:41 am
He is looks at least 10 years younger, maybe he also had a liposuction:)
His game has also improved a lot, his batting, feilding and bowling, he used to be a lot more expensive but in this series his econ rate and bow ave are both excellent, but I would like to see him bowl his googly just a bit more.
December 13th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Wasim
True, his economy rate has been much better. I agree he should use his googly more, a trait he’s brought over from the old Danish!
On the whole, he should work on and use more variation. Danish has always relied on bounce as his primary weapon. Of course, on wickets that are dead, he becomes boring and ineffective.
December 13th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Stani
Yousaf’s also didn’t provided him enough cover on the field, Vettori and McCullum scored a ton of runs on the sweep shot but Yousaf couldn’t plug the gaps. Both McCullum and Vettori were either cutting the ball or sweeping it, I think a strategically placed fielder between point and gully would have prevented Vettori from scoring that many runs, he scored too many boundaries in that area.
December 14th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Wasim
Yes, let’s hope he picks these things up with time. Of course, with our bowling attack, and with all due respect to Vettori, we shouldn’t be letting him milk centuries.
December 14th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Square of the wicket is the favorite area of Vettori so Yousuf should have already know it or at least prevent it while it was happening. If you still giving him a gap at his fav areas then there should be a reason of drawing him into false shot or something but just not gaps.
Kaneria I think need to learn doing flipper better which was a deadly weapon of Shane Warne and could prove very helpful at any pitch. But I am excited about him in Australia with our pace attack.
December 14th, 2009 at 9:04 pm
Reverse
I think because of the slight difference in Warne’s and Kaneria’s actions (Warne’s was flatter), it was easier for Warne to hide the flipper. But I agree, it could be very useful for Kaneria. The majority of Warne’s LBWs were by using the flipper.
Australian pitches will offer bounce so Kaneria could be in business.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:52 pm
Kaneria’s faster delivery is a lethal weapon now. I think this is what makes him the “finished article”.
Hope all is well Stani. I noticed u seemed to be busy !
http://worldcricketwatch.com/feature/introducing-the-cricket-website-awards-2009/
Feel free to promote Stani in the cricket blogosphere.
December 14th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Danish Kaneria is still fairly young and ambitious enough. He could get 400 wickets plus and set a record for a junior Qadir to overtake ! Good to see him in form from a general perspective as legspin is an admirable art.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Maz
Ah yes! I forgot about that, his faster one. Something new he has brought to his armoury….may be after witnessing Afridi’s success with it? It is good to see he is looking to improve.
All is well Maz, was a bit busy. Thanks for the link, I appreciate it.