SHOAIB Akhtar will NOT be charging in trying to bowl as fast as possible for Durham for the rest of the season.

The world's fastest bowler insists he is far more interested in taking wickets and helping Durham into Division One than in breaking the 100mph barrier again.

"I can bowl even faster than that," he said. "But if I tried to bowl as fast as possible every ball I would get injured all the time. It's more important for me to take wickets."

This represents quite a shift from the last time I interviewed Shoaib when he first visited Riverside for a World Cup warm-up game four years ago.

Maximising his pace was very much his priority at the time, but he has obviously changed his tune after suffering a lot of injuries.

He thinks the fact that all his joints hyper-extend might be the cause of his injuries, saying: "I need to keep my muscles strong so that I don't strain my joints.

"I have abnormalities all over my body. Apart from the joints I have flat feet and I shouldn't really be an athlete.

"I need to keep my body tuned up with lots of cycling and gym work. I'm here to play cricket and my whole intention is to do that. It's a full-time job for me"

The fact that Riverside pitches have lost their pace over the last two seasons has not helped Durham's home-grown member of the world's top speedsters, Stephen Harmison. But it doesn't worry Shoaib, who relies less on bounce.

"Pitches don't affect me because I'm quick through the air," he said. "Pitches in Pakistan are slower than this. I think this is a good wicket to bowl on and if I have a wind at my back it will be even better.

"I want to become more mature in my bowling and the experience will be good for me. I want to take that back to my own country and use it in international matches.

"This has worked out well for me because I'm playing for half a season and getting to know what county cricket is like. If it's bearable I might do two more seasons."

IT WAS a relief for both teams when no-one was injured in the final Twenty20 match at Old Trafford on Tuesday as Durham's clashes with Lancashire have been jinxed this season.

It was in their pre-season match that Mark Davies's lung collapsed before play then Paul Collingwood suffered his shoulder injury.

On Lancashire's visits to Riverside, seamer Kyle Hogg went down with a calf injury in the National League match and Martin Love broke his thumb in the C & G meeting.

Then in last Sunday's return National League game a ball from Liam Plunkett squeezed inside Iain Sutcliffe's helmet and fractured his cheekbone. Amazingly, John Wood has stayed fit through it all.

DURHAM may have unearthed a gem in 17-year-old leg-spinner Moneeb Iqbal, who has taken 12 wickets in the Academy's last two matches in the North East Premier League.

He followed his five for 36 against Newcastle by taking seven for 45 against Sunderland, who were beaten by 64 runs despite including Simon Brown and Franklyn Rose.

Iqbal was in the Scotland squad last season and is one of several highly promising players they have developed from Asian backgrounds, including Majid Haq, who took four wickets in the National League win at Riverside this season.

DICKIE Bird was in a bit of a flap when he got stuck in a Riverside lift during the Test match. The world's most famous ex-umpire helped out in the hospitality areas for two days, spinning his yarns, but that famously raised finger had to press the emergency button on his way back to the ground floor.

DURHAM are to combine their Player of the Year awards with a Test match celebration dinner at the Marriott Gosforth Park Hotel on September 22. It is to be a black tie occasion with Dermot Reeve as guest speaker. Tables of ten are being sold at £475 plus VAT.

FORGET Glastonbury. Dust off your rugs, picnic hampers and wine coolers and nip along to the Northern Proms at Riverside on Saturday, August 16 (6pm). International opera stars Graeme Danby, Valerie Reid and Bethany Halliday will perform, along with the Chester-le-Street Riverside Band and guest conductor Major Peter Parkes. A northern theme is promised.

Tickets bought in advance cost £20 for adults and £10 for juniors, with family tickets £50. Ring 0191 387 5151 or 0870 90 90 190.

Read more about Durham County Cricket Club here.