Middlesex signs Kartik for third year in a row

London, Sep 9 (UNI) Left-arm spinner Murali Kartik will have an extended stay with the Middlesex as the Indian signed a new contract for the Lord's based English County's 2009 season for the third consecutive year.

The 31-year-old Kartik has been among the most successful bowlers for Middlesex over the last couple of seasons.

Kartik has claimed 67 wickets in the 19 first-class matches for the county at an average of 27.13.

In the limited over matches, he has 26 wickets to his name from 20 games at 25 runs per wicket.

''Kartik has been a great overseas signing for us and I'm sure he will continue to bring experience, intelligence and motivation to our predominantly young squad,'' Chief executive of the Middlesex county cricket club Vinny Codrington said.

The left-arm spinner, whose last Test appearance for India was in 2004, was delighted at getting another chance to be based at Lord's for a third consecutive year.

''I am delighted and honoured to be back at Middlesex for the third year in a row. I'm looking forward to the Stanford Super Series and the Champions League and hoping to bring more success next year. With the potential and young talent at the club we can look forward to exciting times and I am very much looking forward to it,'' Kartik said.

Kartik was also a part of the Middlesex team, which was crowned the Twenty20 champions earlier this summer.

In the shortest version of the game, Kartik has bagged 23 wickets from 17 matches at an average of 16.47.

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