 Middlesex hope Kartik can provide the spin quality they have lacked |
Indian spin bowler Murali Kartik has agreed to join Middlesex as their second overseas player for 2007. The 30-year-old will team up with Sri Lanka seamer Chaminda Vaas at Lord's next summer as the club looks to bounce back from a double relegation.
Middlesex have lacked a top-quality spinner since Phil Tufnell retired from the game four years ago.
Club chief executive Vinny Codrington said Kartik was a "popular signing" with the first team squad.
And he added: "I am sure he will quickly become a favourite with our supporters."
Kartik has been restricted to eight Test appearances because of the presence of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh in India's team.
But he has already enjoyed success in county cricket during two brief spells with Lancashire in the last two seasons.
The left-armer marked his Championship debut with figures of 10-168 against Essex in September 2005, a victory which secured promotion for the Red Rose county.
Kartik should be available to Middlesex for the whole of next summer, subject to international call-ups.
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