Middlesex sign Ryan McLaren

Ryan McLaren, the South Africa allrounder, has joined Middlesex as their second overseas player for the Friends Provident t20 tournament.

McLaren, who isn't part of South Africa's World Cup squad, will join Chris Rogers for the duration of the t20 and it follows his successful stints with Kent who he helped to the 2007 title with a hat-trick in the final against Gloucestershire. He has also played IPL for Mumbai Indians and currently has eight wickets in five matches during the Pro20 season in South Africa for the Knights.

"Middlesex have thought long and hard about who to sign as a second overseas t20 player for the coming season and it was unanimously agreed that a high quality all-rounder would provide the club with the player it is looking for," Angus Fraser, Middlesex's director of cricket said. "Ryan McLaren fits that bill. Ryan is an extremely good cricketer who is unlucky not to be in South Africa's World Cup Squad.

"He offers explosive hitting when batting, experience and nous when he has the ball in his hand and energy and athleticism in the field. He has a wealth of t20 experience too, and we are looking forward to welcoming him to Lord's."

McLaren, 28, has played 87 Twenty20 matches and taken 76 wickets with an economy rate of 7.51, while he has also scored 603 runs at a strike-rate of 112.50.

"I am thrilled to be joining the Middlesex and am excited about making Lord's my home during the summer," he said. "I have felt in good form in the Pro20 in South Africa and am really looking forward to doing all I can to ensure that Middlesex have a successful Twenty20 campaign."