LONDON, Feb 3: Matt Nicholson, the former Australian fast bowler, will deputise for Pakistan pace sensation Mohammad Asif at Surrey for the first half of the season — and possibly the entire summer.

Nicholson took 44 wickets for Surrey last season in the Championship, but with uncertainty over Asif’s involvement, he could play a fuller role than was first anticipated.

Asif will be unavailable until June at the earliest, and the Pakistan Cricket Board has also expressed concerns about his workload.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board have said they are not going to allow their quick bowlers to play county cricket, which is understandable as most of their first-choice bowlers are on the sidelines at the moment,” Alan Butcher, the Surrey manager, said. —Agencies