Murtagh signs up for extended Middlesex stay
SEAMER Tim Murtagh has signed a contract extension with Middlesex County Cricket Club, which will see him remain at Lord’s until at least the end of the 2022 season.
Murtagh has also accepted the role of club captain, enabling him to continue the senior leadership position he took on earlier this summer, when captaining the side for the final five matches of the County Championship season in Peter Handscomb’s absence.
Murtagh joined Middlesex in 2007 from Surrey and has been by far the club’s most consistent performer with the ball ever since, taking more than 40 Championship wickets in 12 different seasons, amassing 783 first class wickets for Middlesex in the process.
As captain, Murtagh first led the side at Merchant Taylors’ School in July, in a four-day victory against Leicestershire, before then marshalling them to three more consecutive victories against Derbyshire, Sussex and Worcestershire.
He will pick up the on-field captaincy reins again at the start of 2022, should Handscomb’s involvement with Victoria in the Sheffield Shield delay his return to St John’s Wood.
Murtagh said: “I’m obviously delighted to have extended my association with this great club for another season. It has become a huge part of my life since the move across the river.
“Having finished the season on a high last year I’m already excited about the challenge that the 2022 season holds with this group of players.
“I’m honoured to have been asked to take on extra responsibility with the club captaincy and look forward to aiding Pete Handscomb as much as I can on the field next year.”
On Murtagh extending his terms with the club, Middlesex’s interim head coach Alan Coleman added: “We are delighted that Murts has agreed to extend his contract, as well as take on this additional leadership responsibility.
“He is without doubt one of Middlesex’s cricketing greats, and its fantastic news that he’ll be continuing to run in for us from the Nursery End for at least the next year.
“His influence on the rest of the squad cannot be underestimated and alongside his wickets I’m certain he’ll continue to mentor our younger bowlers as they make their way in the game.”