JOHANNESBURG, May 6: South African opening batsman Herschelle Gibbs will not play for English county Durham this season after being told by South African cricket supremos to take a rest from all forms of cricket.

United Cricket Board (UCB) sent a statement to the county regarding Gibbs's inability to honour his contractual obligations - he had already delayed his arrival following tour of New Zealand at end of March.

"It is a blow to lose a player of Herschelle's ability especially without him playing a game," said Durham coach Martyn Moxon. Durham coach Martyn Moxon, however, was able to announce they had signed Pakistani fast bowler Tahir Mughal as short term cover due to a crippling injury crisis and continued unavailability of key players.

With speedster Shoaib Akhtar not due to arrive until after the weekend and Stephen Harmison still in the Caribbean, Moxon's bowling options have been limited by injuries.

Tahir impressed while playing for Durham Academy last year and has a first class average of 21.22 in Pakistan. Tahir impressed with bat as well, boasting a century in a limited overs game and 68 not out in first class cricket.

"The decision to draft in a bowler at such short notice was not taken lightly," commented Moxon. "But with worsening injury problems, we felt need to strengthen bowling attack until arrival of Shoaib Akhtar." -PPI