DURHAM'S injury crisis mounted yesterday with the news that Shoaib Akhtar will not be fit for the four-day game against Glamorgan starting at Riverside today.

The world's fastest bowler has aggravated an old rib injury and the aim is to have him fit for the championship game starting at Trent Bridge next Tuesday.

With Liam Plunkett, Graham Onions and Graeme Bridge all needing another week to recover from their injuries, and Gavin Hamilton's thumb in pot until the end of the month, Durham have drafted in Pallav Kumar, who played for the A team against Yorkshire last week.

An English-qualified right arm seamer, who is studying at Sunderland University, he plays for Newcastle City in the Northumberland and Tyneside Senior League and has also turned out for Cumbria.

Jon Lewis expects to be fit to lead the side after missing Sunday's match at Worcester through illness, while Ian Pattison fills the all-rounder's slot with Paul Collingwood on Test duty.

Although he played two valuable innings, Shoaib looked out of sorts when bowling at Taunton last week and if he is to perform for most of the rest of the season Durham need to get him fit.

The one consolation is that Glamorgan are without Michael Kasprowicz, who has twice taken nine wickets in an innings against Durham in the last two seasons.

He is with the Australian squad in Zimbabwe and is also expected to miss Durham's trip to Sophia Gardens starting on June 27.

Glamorgan tried to sign young Australian paceman Shaun Tait as a replacement, but the move was blocked by the Australian board and the Welsh county have decided to continue with opening batsman Matthew Elliott as their only overseas player.

As they are also without Simon Jones because of Test duty, their attack is depleted. But David Harrison has been doing well, Darren Thomas has taken wickets against Durham in the past, and they have Yorkshire reject Alex Wharf in support.

Durham moved up into third place in the second division after their astonishing win at Taunton, but they have played more games than anyone else and will be looking for another win to maintain the momentum.

Durham: J J B Lewis (capt), M J North, G J Muchall, G J Pratt, N Peng, G R Breese, I Pattison, A Pratt, N Killeen, M Davies, Pallav Kumar.