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Agarkar to play for
Middlesex
Ajit Agarkar,
discarded from the Indian team for the
Asia Cup
in Sri Lanka, is all set to ply his trade at Lord's. He is due to
fly out from Mumbai soon to join Middlesex for a one-month stint
that ends on August 20.
If
Agarkar joins Middlesex, pending permission from the president
of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, he will become the
first Indian to play for Middlesex, the county that plays at the
home of cricket. He has already informed the SK Nair, the board
secretary, of his wish to turn out for Middlesex, and the necessary
paperwork is being processed.
Agarkar's
contract with Middlesex is carefully drafted, however, allowing him
to be released at any stage should the Indian team require his
services.
Agarkar is no stranger to Lord's he made a
stroke-filled maiden Test century there in 2002 when India lost to
England by 170 runs. This stint will be Agarkar's first in county
cricket.
The opportunity to play for Middlesex came about when
Nantie Hayward and Lance Klusener, originally signed as overseas
professionals, were called up by South Africa to tour Sri Lanka.
While it is not yet clear what all matches Agarkar will play,
Middlesex are scheduled to play five National League (one-day) and
two County Championship (four-day) matches between now and August
20. Should Middlesex qualify for the semi-finals of the Twenty20
Cup, Agarkar will get a chance to biff the ball around with all the
enthusiasm that brought him his fastest one-day score, an
astonishing half-century off just 21 balls against Zimbabwe at
Rajkot.
Middlesex can certainly do with some perking up.
They've won only one of their eight county championship matches this
season. But Agarkar's arrival will also coincide with that of a
certain Glenn McGrath, who has agreed to a month of county cricket
between July 18 and August 15, a spell which will include four
County Championship matches and five National League games. One way
or another, it promises to be a mouthwatering partnership.
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