Fit-again Kaneria set to play
SYDNEY: Pakistan’s wily leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is a certain inclusion for Sunday’s second Test against Australia but the persistent question in the three days until then will be how many of his Pakistan teammates will be joining him.
Captain Mohammad Yousuf declared Kaneria, a late withdrawal on Boxing Day with a finger injury, was fit to return to the side.
The bowlers under scrutiny will be the two who have come into the side since the New Zealand tour earlier this month, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.
Paceman Rauf is likely to be dropped after his underwhelming return of 1-119 across the two innings in Melbourne, while off-spinner Ajmal was similarly unproductive with 2-223.
Pakistan’s other pace options are Mohammad Sami, a late call-up to the squad, and Umar Gul.
The latter is ranked No. 24 in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test bowling rankings, although Yousuf said the right-armer, highly rated in Twenty20 cricket in particular, had struggled during the team’s practice match against Tasmania.
“Umar Gul in Hobart was injured and is not in good form as well. He is a key bowler for Pakistan and … the selection committee here decided to rest him. I think it’s a hamstring injury. I am not Danish Kaneria. . .will he turn the tide for Pakistan?
sure, but he’s got a leg problem of some kind. Sami, on the other hand is fresh and firing.’’ he said.
Ajmal’s best hope of retaining his position in the team would be if Pakistan decided to play two spinners at the SCG, a scenario that will depend on pitch conditions. ‘’We haven’t seen the wicket. If it’s the same wicket we saw [for the] last matches, hopefully maybe two [spinners],’’ Yousuf said.
The team’s inability to pass 260 in either innings at the MCG underscores why Yousuf and the team’s management have requested the recall of Younis Khan.
The 32-year-old has been absent since quitting the captaincy on the New Zealand tour, citing a lack of support from teammates, but Yousuf said the batsman was keen to rejoin the squad.’’ I know he (Younis) is keen to join the squad here but I think they selectors have not decided yet,’’ Yousuf said.
‘’I don’t know when he is coming … we’ve already told them to please send him soon.’’Meanwhile, Sydney’s pitch curator Tom Parker sees the quicks having a major impact in the second Test next week.
Parker says with rain on Thursday and more to come on Friday and Saturday before Sunday’s opening day’s play, it’s hard to see the pitch cracking up too much over the five-day contest. More rain is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
SYDNEY: Pakistan’s wily leg-spinner Danish Kaneria is a certain inclusion for Sunday’s second Test against Australia but the persistent question in the three days until then will be how many of his Pakistan teammates will be joining him.
Captain Mohammad Yousuf declared Kaneria, a late withdrawal on Boxing Day with a finger injury, was fit to return to the side.
The bowlers under scrutiny will be the two who have come into the side since the New Zealand tour earlier this month, Abdur Rauf and Saeed Ajmal.
Paceman Rauf is likely to be dropped after his underwhelming return of 1-119 across the two innings in Melbourne, while off-spinner Ajmal was similarly unproductive with 2-223.
Pakistan’s other pace options are Mohammad Sami, a late call-up to the squad, and Umar Gul.
The latter is ranked No. 24 in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test bowling rankings, although Yousuf said the right-armer, highly rated in Twenty20 cricket in particular, had struggled during the team’s practice match against Tasmania.
“Umar Gul in Hobart was injured and is not in good form as well. He is a key bowler for Pakistan and … the selection committee here decided to rest him. I think it’s a hamstring injury. I am not Danish Kaneria. . .will he turn the tide for Pakistan?
sure, but he’s got a leg problem of some kind. Sami, on the other hand is fresh and firing.’’ he said.
Ajmal’s best hope of retaining his position in the team would be if Pakistan decided to play two spinners at the SCG, a scenario that will depend on pitch conditions. ‘’We haven’t seen the wicket. If it’s the same wicket we saw [for the] last matches, hopefully maybe two [spinners],’’ Yousuf said.
The team’s inability to pass 260 in either innings at the MCG underscores why Yousuf and the team’s management have requested the recall of Younis Khan.
The 32-year-old has been absent since quitting the captaincy on the New Zealand tour, citing a lack of support from teammates, but Yousuf said the batsman was keen to rejoin the squad.’’ I know he (Younis) is keen to join the squad here but I think they selectors have not decided yet,’’ Yousuf said.
‘’I don’t know when he is coming … we’ve already told them to please send him soon.’’Meanwhile, Sydney’s pitch curator Tom Parker sees the quicks having a major impact in the second Test next week.
Parker says with rain on Thursday and more to come on Friday and Saturday before Sunday’s opening day’s play, it’s hard to see the pitch cracking up too much over the five-day contest. More rain is predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.
While Australia have named an unchanged 12-man squad with Hauritz the only specialist spinner, Pakistan are likely to pair off-spinner Saeed Ajmal with leggie Danish Kaneria for the second Test.
“The rain has been a little frustrating,” Parker told AAP on Thursday. “We could have more showers on Tuesday and Wednesday (during the match). I don’t see the wicket is going to crack up like it has in past years. It would turn to some degree, it always does here, but the quicks will play a big role.”
While Australia have named an unchanged 12-man squad with Hauritz the only specialist spinner, Pakistan are likely to pair off-spinner Saeed Ajmal with leggie Danish Kaneria for the second Test.
“The rain has been a little frustrating,” Parker told AAP on Thursday. “We could have more showers on Tuesday and Wednesday (during the match). I don’t see the wicket is going to crack up like it has in past years. It would turn to some degree, it always does here, but the quicks will play a big role.”
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