IPL 'barrier' to bringing foreign bowler to Middlesex

Oct 27 2009 By Jon Batham

TIM MURTAGH claimed this week the IPL was an obstacle in bringing an overseas bowler to Middlesex.

The Panthers’ paceman signed a new three-year contract last week to keep him at Lord’s until 2012, with an option to stay until 2014, in bid to lead Middlesex back to the County Championship’s top tier.

However, the 28 year-old claimed two more quicks, including an overseas bowler were needed to help him and Steven Finn spearhead next year’s promotion push – an aim hindered by the monopoly money available in India version of bish bash bosh.

"He said: "Angus Fraser has made no secret of his desire to bring in an overseas bowler – one who is available as much as possible while providing the quality you need, and someone not blinded by the IPL money.

"There are not very many of those people around at the moment."

Nevertheless, Murtagh, the county’s leading wicket taker for the last two seasons, was happy to sign on the dotted line himself, confident Fraser shared his desire to get back to the top of the domestic four-day game.

He said: "Getting back in the First Division of the County Championship is a big thing for me and speaking with Gus he is as keen as I am we achieve that as soon as possible.

"Being down the bottom of the second division just isn’t good enough.

"When I started my career with Surrey in Division One it was tough. I feel I’ve stepped back for a few years and I’m now ready to give it another crack and the sooner we do that the better."

And Murtagh saluted the county’s determination to keep hold of his current new ball partner Steven Finn – proof he says of their ambition to progress.

He added: "Steven could have been whisked away, but Vinny Codrington (chief executive) has said he doesn’t want Middlesex to become a feeder county where everyone else comes in and nicks out best players and this underlines that."