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Too many tours Nottinghamshire re-examines Akhtar's contract
Posted: Thursday January 13, 2000 12:41 PM
LONDON (Reuters) -- Nottinghamshire is taking another look at its contract with controversial paceman Shoaib Akhtar after discovering his availability could be sharply reduced this summer because of commitments with Pakistan. "We signed up Akhtar last summer when Pakistan had one tour lined up during our English season," Mick Newell, Nottinghamshire assistant manager told BBC Radio on Thursday. "We've now found out in the last two weeks that they've actually got four tours during our English cricket season. "We need to be clear about how much cricket Shoaib is available to play for Notts because at the moment it doesn't appear very much," Newell said. But he insisted there were no hard feelings, saying: "It's not his fault. It's just the way the world of cricket works these days." Meanwhile, Newell confirmed the club had contacted New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns who had indicated he would be available, although nothing had yet been decided. Newell denied the approach to Cairns stemmed from the throwing controversy surrounding Akhtar. The pace bowler was suspended last month by the International Cricket Council, which ruled that his bouncers and extra-fast deliveries amounted to throws. But the Pakistan board appealed and the suspension has been withdrawn for one-day matches. Cairns, 29, spent his formative years playing for Nottinghamshire, but in recent seasons has been unable to take in an English county season because of international commitments.
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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