Murtagh commits to Middlesex with two-year contract
BOWLER ALSO ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM IRELAND
MIDDLESEX CCC have announced that Tim Murtagh has committed his future to the club – a decision that has led to him also announcing his immediate retirement from international cricket with Ireland.
Right-arm seamer, Murtagh, 38, put pen to paper on a new two-year contract with the club, which will see him remain at Lord’s, the ground he has played at since joining Middlesex from Surrey in 2007, until at least the end of the 2021 season.
Murtagh, one of the most popular players at the club, in both the dressing room and the eyes of the members, has more than earned the title of a modern-day Middlesex legend, with a playing record that stands second to none.
In 182 first-class appearances for the club he has picked up a staggering 700 wickets at an average of just 24 and has a further 263 wickets to his name in 135 appearances across both white ball formats. With the bat he has amassed almost 3,500 runs across all formats.
He has been the recipient of Middlesex’s Player of the Year award on three separate occasions and was deservedly awarded a Benefit Year by the club in 2015.
Murtagh retires from an international career with Ireland which spanned from 2012 to 2019. He made 58 ODI appearances, 14 T20I appearances, and earned three Test caps. He has 74 ODI wickets to his name, 13 T20I wickets, and 13 Test wickets, the latter coming at an impressive average of just 16.
His most notable international contribution undoubtedly came at Lord’s against England this summer, when his 5-13 saw him rip through the England batting card to claim a place on the Lord’s honours boards. With the bat he also proudly retires a Test half-centurion, having hit an unbeaten 54 against Afghanistan earlier this year.
Speaking of Tim Murtagh’s new contract, Middlesex Cricket’s head coach, Stuart Law, commented: “To have Murts commit to Middlesex for the future is really great news for the club. It has been a tough decision for him no doubt, but we are looking forward to seeing him continue to provide the team with quality and experience.
“A vital member of our squad, both on and off the field, I look forward to working with him again in 2020.”
On signing his new contract, Murtagh commented: “I made a promise to Angus Fraser when I first started playing international cricket that if I ever had to make a choice between playing for Ireland or rewarding Middlesex for the commitment they’d shown to me over the years, that I would commit to finishing my playing days at Lord’s.
“Having been a member of the Middlesex family for over a decade now, I believe that with the additions we’ve made over the winter, we have one of the most promising squads here now that I’ve ever been a part of.
“I wouldn’t have committed my future to Middlesex unless I felt that the club shared my ambition to win trophies, and we have a huge amount of young talent here to drive us forwards towards that goal. Under the new coaching regime, we’ve got a harmonious dressing room that is excited for the new season to get under way and a new Captain that everyone is keen to impress.
“I would like to thank the club, our supporters and most importantly our members for the support they’ve given me over the years and I am really looking forward to continuing to do my best for Middlesex and to finishing my playing career at this great club.”