Murali signs for Lancashire

Muttiah Muralitharan, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, has signed for Lancashire in 2005, although he will only play the first half of the season because of international commitments.

Muralitharan played for Lancashire in 1999 and 2001 with spectacular success, snapping up 116 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 15. In 1999 he was voted the Player of the Year by the club's membership after taking 66 wickets in seven games.

"It's great to have Murali on board again; he is an obvious leader in world cricket and will provide an added edge to the early part of the season," Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's cricket manager, commented.

Jack Simmons, the club chairman, added: "I'm highly delighted to have Murali at Lancashire for another season. He must be considered one of the best cricketers to have played the game."

Muralitharan was also chased by other clubs, including Middlesex, but he has retained a fondness for Lancashire after his previous visits and also developed strong friendships there, especially with Andrew Flintoff and Neil Fairbrother, his English agent.

Muralitharan will be able to play until mid-July before having to return for a Test series with West Indies and tri-series also involving India in August. Sri Lanka will then tour Bangladesh in September.

Several other Sri Lanka cricketers are keen to develop their games in England next summer, including Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who are working with Fairbrother to secure contracts.