Middlesex sign New Zealand star Franklin

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Middlesex have signed New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin on a two-year contract.

The 34-year-old left-hander, who made his last Test and One-Day International appearances in 2013, will qualify as a non-overseas player due to his Irish heritage.

He has previously played county cricket for Nottinghamshire, Essex, Glamorgan and Gloucestershire, as well as in the IPL for the Mumbai Indians.

Franklin is one of only two New Zealanders to ever take a hat-trick in Test cricket, against Bangladesh in October 2004, and is on his country’s standby list for the World Cup this month.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to playing for Middlesex, working with Angus Fraser and the rest of the coaching staff and being in a dressing room full of talented cricketers who will be wanting to help Middlesex win silverware and be a dominant force in county cricket in all formats.”

Fraser said Franklin would fill the void left by Gareth Berg, the all-rounder who missed virtually all of the 2014 season through injury and was subsequently released by the club.

The Middlesex managing director of cricket added: “The loss of Gareth was a hugely important factor as the season progressed.

“His absence prevented us from fielding a balanced side and his overs were missed.

“Despite James not having bowled with great frequency over the winter for Wellington, due to a side strain, we are confident that come April, his fitness levels will enable him to more than fill that role, offering both experience and variety as a left arm-seamer.”

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