Kaneria calls for better pitches after Lara mauling

MULTAN, Nov 22 (Reuters) Pakistan's top leg spinner Danish Kaneria has called for better pitches after being mauled by West Indian skipper Brian Lara in the second test.

Kaneria was savaged by Lara during his brilliant 216 runs innings, which included a spell where he conceded 60 runs from 29 balls at one stage.

''I think when we play at home we should take advantage and have pitches that encourage bowlers,'' Kaneria said.

''This was a very flat and dead track to bowl on and it had nothing in it for the spinners. It is not surprising for me that Lara played like he did on it,'' he said.

Lara smashed Kaneria for 26 runs in one over, including three sixes and two fours, as he raced to a century before lunch on Tuesday.

Kaneria said while it was difficult to prepare pitches in the winter season the curator should try to make tracks which encourage bowlers and are not totally in favour of batsmen.

The leg-spinner who finished with 5 for 181 despite the Lara innings said he enjoyed bowling to the master batsman.

''He has scored four hundreds against us in our last four tests. I have learnt a lot watching him bat. His timing is flawless and he reads from the hand very quickly,'' he said.

''I have tried changing my action a bit and using the crease a bit more. But he is very good at playing spin,'' he added.

During the over in which he was knocked around by Lara, Kaneria said he was under no pressure but trying to block the batsman.

''He was thinking ahead of me all the time. But it was not demoralising for me because he has hit other bowlers also in this mood.'' Kaneria, who has taken 177 wickets in 42 tests, said getting out Lara was a big moment for him.

''It was good we got him out quickly this morning or he looked set for a triple century.'' REUTERS SAM ND2036