ALAMGIR Sheriyar has returned to the fast lane after his Worcestershire career took a wrong turn last season.

And that's certainly good news for the 27-year-old left arm quickie who has steered his way back among the country's leading wicket-takers.

However, it's a far cry from this time last year when his New Road career was hitting the crash barriers.

After capturing 92 first-class victims in 1999, when he was the country's top wicket-taker, his tally slumped dramatically last term to just 28.

It resulted in the former England A player losing his place in the County side and asking to leave New Road -- a request he later reversed.

The trials and tribulations of last year, however, are now a thing of the past and his sole intention is to reach the heady heights he scaled in 1999 when his bumper bag of first-class wickets included 86 in the County Championship.

Sheriyar, however, is not putting pressure on himself by setting targets for the season.

He just wants to keep injury-free and continue to pile up the wickets, which have already overtaken last term's below-par haul.

He said: "Last year was disappointing, but it's just good to come back and prove a few people wrong."

But can he get anywhere near -- or even top -- the number of wickets he claimed in 1999?

"I don't know. I'll just keep bowling and if it happens it happens. People have put pressure on themselves in the past by saying 'I've got to do this, I've got to do that', but I'll just keep bowling the way I am and we'll have to wait and see."

Sheriyar, however, believes he knows exactly why his fortunes have taken such a welcome upturn after last year.

"I think I'm bowling in better areas with more control which has been a fault of mine in the past when, okay I've taken wickets, but I've been expensive. Now I'm just putting the ball in better area and being more disciplined."

He also feels a lot more content this term after losing his way last year. "I'm definitely happier this season both on and off the field. I feel like I'm being backed which is a very big thing for me.

"But, as I say, it's just discipline to put the ball enough in the right areas and hopefully you will get your rewards.

"I like to keep my targets to myself really, but it's very realistic. I'd love to have a fantastic year to get more than I did in 1999, but you never know. It's just a case of keep bowling and see what happens. After all, you are bowling for wickets and if you see an opening you are bound to go for it."

Sheriyar believes that Tom Moody's appointment at New Road as Director of Cricket is a big reason why his form has improved this year.

"Tom makes a difference. He's just very much more positive than anyone I've worked with to be honest with his outlook to the game which is always going to help you.

"You go out thinking positive things instead of thinking 'I've got to bowl here, I've got to do this'. Tom's preached to all of us if you feel it's the right thing to do then do it, which helps."

The Australian influence has also rubbed off on Sheriyar via Glenn McGrath, who had a tremendous campaign with the County last year, and Andy Bichel who is proving a big hit this term.

He said: "They are very different I think. Glenn didn't really swing the ball -- he'd probably hate me for saying that -- but he just hit the deck, looked to tie people up and get them out that way.

"Andy is more of an attacking bowler in a different sense where he looks to bowl the magic balls and still get people out.

"I don't think it's fair to say they are not in the same league because they are two different bowlers, but Andy has been brilliant for us this year. It's the whole new positive approach to everything we do now and Andy's big on positive vibes. Tom's big on that as well and it rubs off on the whole squad."

Sheriyar firmly believes the County have a great chance to realise some of their ambitions this season.

"You don't have many teams with a middle order of Hick, Solanki, Leatherdale and Bichel. Andy's a genuine all-rounder as he has shown in the Benson and Hedges Cup where he got a hundred in one of the games and gets 30s in no time."

And having settled back into the old routine himself Sheriyar is determined to do his utmost to help his team-mates reap their rewards. I'm just a lot happier within myself and with people around me. That surely rubs off confidencewise as well.

"And if somebody had said at that start of the season that I've have got as many wickets as I have now then I'd have bitten their hand off and said 'thank you.'

"The wickets are coming along nicely considering I missed the first game of the season because of a back spasm, but it was about minus three then and I was trying to bowl in that."