James Franklin has signed a two year non-overseas contract to play for Middlesex until at least the end of the 2016 English domestic cricket season.
A mutual option of a third year in 2017 also exists and the deal is subject to England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) discretion and registration.
Franklin, 34, will qualify as a non-overseas player through his Irish ancestry. He will be available to play in all forms of the game.
“Whilst I’m very honoured to be joining Middlesex for the next few years, I want to first take my cap off to Wellington for whom I’ve had a hugely enjoyable and memorable career in New Zealand,” Franklin said. “It’s been an absolute privilege to play for Wellington for over 15 years and although this decision closes the chapter on playing for New Zealand again I know I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have spent over a decade being involved playing international cricket, and have had some of my greatest memories and experiences in cricket playing with the Silver Fern on my cap.”
“My family and I will relocate to London in April and we’re all very excited about what the future holds,” he continued. “Personally 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.”
Franklin has to date made 179 appearances for New Zealand in Test, ODI and T20 cricket and is currently on New Zealand’s World Cup reserve list. The all-rounder will continue to captain and play for Wellington, who he guided to T20 success before Christmas, until the end of the 2014/15 New Zealand domestic cricket season.
Franklin has plenty of experience of playing cricket in England, last season he spent an extended period with Nottinghamshire and before that he played for Gloucestershire, Glamorgan and Essex.
“I’m delighted to have secured James’ services,” said Middlesex’s managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser. “At the end of the 2014 season we sat down to analyse our shortcomings and felt that we needed to add quality, consistency and nous to our squad. James will provide this.
“He is fit, strong and motivate. He has a lot to offer and continues to perform to a high level wherever he plays.
“The loss of Gareth Berg through injury in 2014 was a hugely important factor as the season progressed,” Fraser added. “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.”
James Buttler
As the editor of World Cricket Badger he is intent on building the website to give quality coverage of the domestic game around the world.
He is also the presenter of the Cricket Badger Radio Show on Radio Yorkshire every Tuesday evening between 7-9pm UK time.
James was the full-time Media Manager at Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 2007 and 2010.
James is a published author, a writer/video contributor to many cricket publications and a complete cricket badger!
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