Middlesex in talks with Chaminda Vaas

Chaminda Vaas would provide backbone to Middlesex's lower-order and incision with the ball © Getty Images

Following the news that Ben Hutton has stepped down from the captaincy of Middlesex, the club are on the verge of signing Chaminda Vaas, the Sri Lankan seamer, in what is believed to be the first step to a major squad overhaul.

Middlesex suffered a dreadful season; they finished bottom of Division One in the Championship, by some margin, and are relegated into Division Two and were also relegated in the Pro40 league. John Emburey, the club's director of cricket, is also expected to sign another overseas player in addition to Vaas - most likely a senior spinner.

"We need a stronger spin bowling attack and we need to add an experienced swing bowler to counter the fact that our pitches at Lord's do not offer much carry or movement to the seamer," Emburey said.

Vaas, 32, has taken 307 wickets in Tests and is an accomplished one-day player; he also contributes nuggety lower-order runs. He represented Hampshire in 2003 and Worcestershire last season.