Middlesex swoop for Collins

Middlesex have signed former West Indies left-arm seamer Pedro Collins for this season.

Collins, who has not played international cricket since 2006, will have Kolpak status due to Barbados' trade links with the United Kingdom.

The 33-year-old, who will join Middlesex midway through April, left Surrey in October after two seasons there on a Kolpak deal.

He follows opening batsman Scott Newman in moving across the Thames this winter and Middlesex's other high-profile close-season signings - former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist and ex-New Zealand paceman Iain O'Brien.

Middlesex's managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said: "We are delighted to have secured the services of Pedro Collins. Pedro will bolster Middlesex's seam attack, bringing experience and variety to it.

"He has experience of bowling in English conditions and has had a very good domestic season in the Caribbean, in which he took 26 wickets at an average of only 17.53 for Barbados. We look forward to him joining up with the rest of the squad in mid-April."

Collins added: "I am delighted to be returning to England to play county cricket this summer.

"Playing at Lord's with West Indies was always a special experience, and the thought of playing there for Middlesex with the home support on my side is very exciting.

"The club have made some good signings this summer to complement a strong squad, so I look forward to helping the club challenge for silverware."