Danish Kaneria poses an even greater threat to his team than originally thought after taking a closer inspection at the Pakistan leg-spinner, according to Australia captain Ricky Ponting.
Kaneria has taken 245 wickets in 56 Tests to sit fourth on the list of Pakistan's all-time wicket-takers.
During Pakistan's last Test series in Australia in 2005, the wrist spinner took 15 wickets in three Tests, eight of them at the Sydney Cricket Ground where the two sides began play in the second Test in the early hours of this morning.
"I was a little bit surprised when I saw his record," Ponting said.
"He's a very good bowler but I saw his record come up against some of the great spinners over the last 10 years and it stacks up there against the best of them.
"His record's actually better than Abdul Qadir and everyone knows how highly regarded he was. He's taken 240-odd wickets in 50-odd Tests, so he's got a very good record.
"We've played him here before and he's bowled well. Leg-spinners have that knack of being able to take wickets and that's one area from last week that they will look to strengthen for this game."
Ponting has set his team the task of matching the levels reached in the opening match of the three-Test series, when they posted a 170-run victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Victoria. "It was our best and most disciplined effort and the challenge for all of us now is to make sure we keep those standards up for the remainder of the summer," said Ponting.
"I have spoken about each game being a step forward in the right direction and last week we set ourselves some very high standards that we've got to keep maintaining.
"Teams are probably at their most dangerous when they've come off a heavy loss like last week. The challenge for us is not to get carried away with what we've done."
Meanwhile, Pakistan were dealt a blow on the eve of the second Test when left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Aamer was ruled out through injury. The talented young quick sustained a groin injury and was expected to be replaced by Mohammad Sami.
* With agencies
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
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- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
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TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
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