DURHAM were last night rocked by the news that South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs will not be taking up his one-year contract with the county.

When Gibbs let it be known in the middle of last summer that he was keen to play county cricket, Durham moved swiftly to sign him.

They believed at the time that Martin Love would be tied up for much of this season by Australian commitments, while Gibbs would be available from the start of the season until mid-August.

They heard in late March that Gibbs was required for a new Twenty20 Cup in South Africa, which would delay his arrival until early May, and he would have to leave on July 14.

But he was unable to play in the Twenty20 competition because of a calf injury, and after initially indicating he would arrive last week and continue his treatment here if necessary, he has now been ordered to rest by the South African board.

With Shoaib Akhtar's arrival also delayed, and four bowlers injured, Durham have signed 27-year-old Pakistani paceman Tahir Mughal as short-term cover.

He impressed during one match for the academy team last season, while playing club cricket in England, and has a first-class bowling average of 21.22 in Pakistan. He has also made a century in limited-overs cricket and it is hoped he will make his Durham debut in the four-day match against Essex, starting at Riverside tomorrow.

A statement from the United Cricket Board of South Africa sent to Durham yesterday said Gibbs had been "experiencing severe physical and mental fatigue as a result of an extremely long and challenging international season.

"We recommend that he takes a break from all cricket in order to ensure he is prepared for his international commitments that are due to commence in two months with the tour to Sri Lanka."

Durham coach Martyn Moxon said: "It is a blow to lose a player of Herschelle's ability. Fortunately Marcus North is in fine form, having scored his maiden century for Durham over the weekend, and we can now take time to consider all our options over the coming weeks." North, a Western Australia batsman, was due to return to play for Gateshead Fell while Gibbs was here.

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