Middlebrook makes dramatic return to Yorkshire

YORKSHIRE have signed James Middlebrook as a short-term replacement for Adil Rashid.
James MiddlebrookJames Middlebrook
James Middlebrook

The Leeds-born off-spinner goes straight into the squad for Sunday’s County Championship match against Warwickshire at Headingley, which Rashid will miss after England turned down Yorkshire’s request to have him return home early from the tour to the West Indies.

Middlebrook, 37, played 23 first-class games for Yorkshire between 1998 and 2001 before going on to represent Essex and Northants.

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He last played professional cricket last summer after a career comprising 220 first-class games, which brought him 7,824 runs at 28.48 and 458 wickets at 38.60.

“It has been surreal, “said Middlebrook.

“I wasn’t expecting a call to come and play first-class cricket again and to get the call from Yorkshire was a shock.

“I’m excited and looking forward to my second debut with the club.

“It will be a big honour to walk out in front of the Yorkshire members on Sunday at Headingley.”

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Yorkshire first-team coach Jason Gillespie said: “With our first choice spinner Adil Rashid in the Caribbean with England we felt we had to look at an option to fill that void.

“Karl Carver has been in our squad this season and we have been pleased with his development over the past 12 months.

“However, at this point in time, we feel he is best served learning his trade in the second team.”