Tim Murtagh signs new two-year Middlesex deal and retires from Ireland duty

Tim Murtagh has ended his Ireland career, but will carry on at Middlesex
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Will Macpherson29 November 2019

Tim Murtagh has signed a new two-year contract at Middlesex that will take him into his forties – and retired from international cricket with Ireland.

Like Paul Stirling, who left the club, Lambeth-born Murtagh was left with a dilemma when new eligibility rules came in meaning Ireland players no longer qualify as non-overseas players, due to their Test status.

But Murtagh, 38, has decided to stick with Middlesex, for whom he has taken 700 first-class wickets since moving from Surrey in 2007.

That ends his seven-year involvement with Ireland, which culminated in winning three Test caps. In the last, he made it onto the honours board at his home ground Lord’s with five for 13 as Ireland skittled England for 85 in July.

“I made a promise to [Director of Cricket] Angus Fraser when I first started playing international cricket that if I ever had to make a choice between playing for Ireland or rewarding Middlesex for the commitment they’d shown to me over the years, that I would commit to finishing my playing days at Lord’s,” he said.

This is encouraging news for Middlesex, who are in a state of flux after the departure of captain Dawid Malan to Yorkshire. Australian Peter Handscomb has been signed as skipper, to work alongside his compatriot Stuart Law, the coach.

"I wouldn’t have committed my future to Middlesex unless I felt that the club shared my ambition to win trophies and we have a huge amount of young talent here to drive us forwards towards that goal,” said Murtagh.

“Under the new coaching regime, we’ve got a harmonious dressing room that is excited for the new season to get underway and a new captain that everyone is keen to impress.”

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