DANISH Kaneria believes he has a “vital” role to play in Essex’s assault on Twenty20 Cup Finals Day.

The 27-year-old Pakistan leg-spinner has taken 15 wickets in the Eagles’ flight to the Rose Bowl – and he expects to be at the forefront of the Essex attack again tomorrow.

“Spinners are vital in Twenty20 cricket,” said Kaneria.

“If you have a wrist spinner who bowls a good googly and a top-spinner, the batsmen try to hit across the line.

“There are not many players who play spin very well any more and hit the ball over extra-cover – , people like (former Essex and Pakistan batsman) Salim Malik.

“I play a very vital role. I think I have bowled well and have bowled in the right areas.

“I stick to one plan which is to try and contain the runs and then the batsmen try to do silly things. I bowl tight areas and tight lines – my job is to contain and make sure “I have the right field placings to do this.”

For Kaneria, Twenty20 Cup glory would be a massive achievement, but the Karachi-born star is not looking past the Eagles’ semi-final showdown with Kent – a match that will see him go up against countrymen Azhar Mahmood and Yasir Arafat.

“The first semi-final is our final,” admitted Kaneria.

“But we have a fantastic keeper in James Foster and he should be playing for England, while Graham Napier is hitting the ball over the boundary and I hope he goes through the whole season like this.”