Kartik joins Lancashire

Murali Kartik, the Indian left-arm spinner, will join Lancashire for the remainder of the county season. Karthik has been signed as cover for Gary Keedy, who is suffering from a hand injury, and made his debut in the current championship game with Essex.

The club also had an overseas player vacancy after Marcus North left to prepare for the Australia A tour to Pakistan. "Kartik will give us more depth for the remaining games of the season," said Mike Watkinson, the team manager. "We are glad that a player of his quality has joined us at such short notice."

Kartik, who has picked up 24 wickets in eight Tests at 34 apiece, is familiar with Lancashire, having played league cricket for Ramsbottom before India's recent one-day series in Zimbabwe.

Playing for Ramsbottom last month, he helped his team win the Worsley Cup, taking three wickets and scoring 37 in the final against Todmorden.