October 01 Tuesday 2002
Kaneria faces master in Warne

COLOMBO: The contrast in terms of experience could not be starker.One is a youngster with just eight Tests under his belt, the other was named one of Wisden's five cricketers of the last century, and is preparing for his 102nd with 450 wickets to his name.

But wrist-spinners Danish Kaneria and Shane Warne will both play a major part in the Test series between Pakistan and Australia, starting with the first one in Colombo from Thursday. Off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is Pakistan's highest-profile spinner, with 169 wickets from 40 Tests. But, after a false-start on his debut against England two years ago, Kaneria has generated more excitement than his senior colleague by forcing his way into the side. Eight Tests have brought 38 wickets, including four hauls of five or more.

Although 25 of those scalps have come against lowly Bangladesh, Kaneria impressed with a marathon spell against New Zealand in Lahore, taking 5 for 110 in an innings victory. Compare that lightning start to a Test career to that of Warne. Including a nightmare one for 150 on debut against India, the Australian managed just 14 wickets in his first eight Tests.

And Kaneria also has the advantage of having bowled in Test conditions in Sharjah, venue for the second and third Tests of this series, having taken on the West Indies in February.

But he is under no illusions that this series will be his most difficult assignment yet. "I know I have just started my career and have a long way to go. But playing against Australia will be my toughest test," he said. "I look forward to this battle and hope it establishes me as a good spinner."

Warne is widely viewed as being responsible for the rebirth of leg-spin, except in Pakistan where Abdul Qadir gains the credit.

Abdul Qadir, a veteran of 67 Tests with 236 wickets, spent some time with the young prodigy while coaching the Pakistan A team. And as well as a high, fluid action which has proved the downfall of less experienced batsmen at least, the veteran believes Kaneria has the guts to make the grade at the highest level.

But Warne has shown a similar resolve in bouncing back from the shoulder injuries which have dogged his career over the last few years. A new diet and training regime during the off-season has seen him lose an estimated 22lbs in weight. "I think I'm finally back now to the way I used to bowl, which is very, very pleasing. I'm finally beginning to understand my bowling a lot more, how to get batsmen out rather than just bowl big, turning leg-breaks."

That veteran's experience is a long way off for Kaneria, but he realises that this series poses a wonderful opportunity to learn from the world's leading leg-spinner. "I know Warne is a world class leg-spinner, but I'll do my best to stand tall before him," he said. "There will be a lot to learn from the master spinner."