Akhtar absence won't cost Pears

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is on a pay-as-you-play and incentive-linked deal with Worcestershire, the county has revealed.

The 29-year-old, who was dogged with hamstring problems during the winter, has not endeared himself to sections of Pears fans with an injury-hit start to his career at New Road.

He was ruled out of what should have been his Frizzell County Championship debut a fortnight ago against Yorkshire with a calf injury before taking six for 47 against Northamptonshire last week.

But chief executive Mark Newton insisted Worcestershire will not be hit hard in the pocket if Akhtar is not in the team or fails to deliver.

Newton told PA Sport: "Shoaib has come here for two reasons, to try and resurrect his own career and we hope to win us some games.

"He has come here on the basis that he will do well if he appears and performs. If he doesn't do either of those things, then he will not be costing the club a great deal of money.

"The contract is very incentive linked and appearance linked. We have never done this before with a player because we do not think it is ideal in terms of the team culture.

"But Shoaib was delighted to come to Worcestershire on that basis and what he did at Northampton last week is what we have brought him over here for."

Newton also confirmed the county hope to talk to Australian paceman Glenn McGrath during the weekend game with Australia about a possible return to New Road.

McGrath, who took nine wickets in the first npower Test win over England at Lord's, has expressed a desire to again play county cricket after previously spending a successful time at Worcestershire.

Newton said: "If Glenn is interested in talking to us, we will be delighted to talk to him. I am sure we can have a conversation during the Australian game."