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Srinath says no to Notts

India's bowling spearhead Javagal Srinath has declined the Nottinghamshire offer to replace injured Shoaib Akhtar of Pakistan in the English County championship this season, stating that it will be difficult for him to meet the county's requirements.

''I have told them that it will be difficult for me to meet their requirements if I am selected for the Sahara Cup one-day tournament against Pakistan in Toronto,'' he said.

"I declined the offer because they wanted a commitment from me in writing till the 21st of September. But if there is an international commitment I will miss the county games. Now there are only nine games available anyway, and if I have to honour my international commitments, it leaves me with only six games. They want someone who can play all the games. So now, I believe, they have picked Paul Reiffel," he added.

Last week, Srinath, who had a three-month break from the game, had informed the Board of Control For Cricket in India that he is available for selection for the Toronto tournament in September.

On Monday, Nottinghamshire had faxed him an offer, asking him to commit in writing that he would be available for the remaining part of the county championship. Reacting to the offer Srinath said: "I am considering the offer and will decide in two days' time. I need to talk to people before I arrive at any decision."

In fact, he spoke to BCCI secretary Jaywant Lele about the offer. Lele, speaking to rediff.com from Baroda, confirmed that Srinath had sought permission to play for Nottinghamshire. "I told him he could go ahead; that the board has no objection," Lele said.

Srinath, who had earlier played for Gloucestershire in 1995 when he claimed 87 victims, had opted out of the Asia Cup complaining of fatigue.