Kaneria established as a genuine danger man
If England are to repeat their 2000 victory in Pakistan over the next few months, then they will almost certainly have to find a way to deal with the wily spin of Danish Kaneria
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Not 25 until next month, Kaneria could have another ten years of Test cricket ahead of him - fitness and form permitting - but he is already more than a handful and must be licking his lips at the thought of an England team - perhaps without Michael Vaughan - who have never been at their best against spin, particularly of the leg variety.
Kaneria has taken 132 wickets in 28 Tests, a superb return of just under five wickets per match. Having made his debut against England five years ago, he has been even more productive on home soil - as you might expect, taking 64 wickets in just 12 Tests in Pakistan. What is more, they have come at an average of just 25, which is not half bad for a leg-spinner, as their more varied flight and drift than off-spinners mean that they are traditionally quite expensive.
With Mushtaq also in the squad and a couple more leg-spinners coming through, Kaneria knows he will have to stay at the top of his game if he is to retain his place and that is bad news for England, who cannot count on him becoming complacent.
If I was an England batsmen, I would not be looking forward to facing him anywhere, but least of all in Karachi, the venue for the third Test. On his one and only appearance there to date, last year, Kaneria took 7-118 and 10 wickets in the match as Pakistan beat Sri Lanka.
It is little wonder that he is such a big favourite to be top Pakistan bowler in the series, at 9/10 (1.90) but even though that might sound tight, it is probably a price still worth taking.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
Simon Cambers is Cricinfo's new betting correspondent
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