It is good to see such positive attitude from one of our leading bowlers just before the tour to England.
Kaneria looks ahead to England challenge](http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/engvpak/content/current/story/250156.html)
Leg spinner Danish Kaneria says he is ready to take over as Pakistan’s main strike bowler in England after their most potent weapon Shoaib Akhtar had to be dropped from the squad because of injury.
Kaneria is expected by many to play a major role in Pakistan’s campaign in England following the absence of Shoaib, who has been ruled out of any international action for several weeks because of a stress fracture on his ankle.
“I will try 101 percent to step into Shoaib’s shoes and lead our attack,” Kaneria said on Saturday. “I do not mind the pressure of being our main strike bowler. I will work hard and try to take wickets for my country and make my captain proud. I think my two years playing for Essex will be a great help to me, knowing how to bowl on English wickets.”
Kaneria takes a lot of satisfaction in the recent performances of fellow spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan against England in recent times. However he admitted that he is not yet in the same league as them.
“Warne took 40 wickets against England in the Ashes last year and Murali spun them out at Nottingham a few days ago so it shows me that their batsmen are not too comfortable against the top-class spinners,” he explained. “Murali and Warne are easily the best two spinners that ever lived and I want to prove that I can also be as good as them even though I still have a lot to learn. They are much more experienced than I am, but I will try my best to make things difficult for England as they did.”
He said that England have several good batsmen and added that Pakistan are preparing hard for the assignment.
“It will be a tough series for us because England are difficult opponents in their home conditions, but we have been playing very good cricket over the last couple of years and we are confident about what we can achieve. Each and every player wants to perform at the highest level and we are determined to win over there.”
Kaneria is planning to take his wife and infant daughter along with him to England. He said, “I’ll be bringing my wife and daughter over for the first couple of weeks, so she will see me fulfil my lifelong dream of playing a Test match at Lords. I am just hoping it can coincide with a victory.”
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