Danish Kaneria talks up Pakistan (and himself)
When Pakistan toured Australia last summer, the unexpected bowling revelation was Danish Kaneria. I was especially impressed with an interview where he unashamedly admitted his burning ambition to be the greatest leg spinner in the world, better than Shane Warne. He's taking wickets at a faster rate than Warnie and Murali so he's not all talk either. Times Online have published a recent interview with Danish Kaneria by Matthew Pryor where Kaneria talks up his and Pakistan's chances against England. The Pakistan cricket team has an interesting religious background - last summer, they consisted of Muslims, a Hindu (Kaneria) and a Christian (the Christian has since converted to Islam). There are some striking quotes from Kaneria:
"Leg spin is an art. Not everybody has that art. Two or three people in the world can do what I do. Because of His help, His hand on me, I am going forward. That makes me down to earth and humble enough."It's funny to hear someone say "Two or three people in the world can do what I do" and describe himself as "down to earth and humble enough" in the same breath (though note the qualifying "enough"). Kaneria also talks up his googly:
"If he (Warne) bowls a googly you can see it. Some of the top batsmen have said you cannot read mine. The Indian batsman said that to me, and Brian Lara said, 'We can't read your googly.' "He also aims to take 25 wickets in the 3 Test series - it's good to see players go out on a limb before a series (although you can go too far such as Glenn McGrath's infamous 5-nil Ashes prediction). However, I still disagree with Andrew Strauss' statement that "winning on the sub-continent would be a tougher challenge than beating Australia" (I reckon the English are talking up the series to consolidate their hold on the #1 Test position if they win).
| Posted by JC on Wed 26 Oct |  13 comments |
Kaneria has a big mouth, like McGrath and Warne both. But he has the balls to do it as well. And he is not kidding here. Picking Warne's googly is damn easy, but you surely can't pick his. Yet, it doesn't make him better than Warne who is light years ahead of him. The prob with Kaneria is his attitude. Sometime ago, Abdul Qadir gave the greatest insight into Leg spin, Warne's action and Kaneria's ability and attitude. Do Read it.
Btw, I personally agree with you against the statement made by Strauss. Yet, I don't think he is too wrong either. Everyone knows now that England doesn't talk. They do it! After all, they did beat the aussies and very convincingly so!
Posted by Akshaya on 2005-10-26 11:31:04
Btw, I personally agree with you against the statement made by Strauss. Yet, I don't think he is too wrong either. Everyone knows now that England doesn't talk. They do it! After all, they did beat the aussies and very convincingly so!
Posted by Akshaya on 2005-10-26 11:31:04
Don't suppose you have a hyperlink to Abdul Qadir's insights? Or is it in a book?
Posted by John Cook on 2005-10-26 14:13:11
Posted by John Cook on 2005-10-26 14:13:11
It's an interview published by Cricinfo. Just found it -- http://content-ind.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/219314.html
Posted by Akshaya on 2005-10-26 23:12:09
Posted by Akshaya on 2005-10-26 23:12:09
Great article, I've started a new post about it. Thanx for the link!
Posted by John Cook on 2005-10-27 03:26:17
Posted by John Cook on 2005-10-27 03:26:17
just dont convert like the useless christian yohanaa.. baghwan Kaneria tumhairee saath hain...
Posted by hindu on 2006-02-21 23:16:32
Posted by hindu on 2006-02-21 23:16:32
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