Star Indian bowler inks deal with Warwickshire, set to play three matches in County Championship

Star Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj will play for Warwickshire, the County side announced on August 18 (Thursday). Siraj, who has bagged 40 wickets in 13 Test matches for Team India, will become the sixth Indian cricketer to play County cricket this season when he wears a Warwickshire jersey in September.

Cheteshwar Pujara (Sussex), Washington Sundar (Lancashire), Krunal Pandya (Warwickshire for Royal London Cup), Umesh Yadav (Middlesex) and Navdeep Saini (Kent) have already participated in County cricket this season.

"I can't wait to join up with the Bears squad," Siraj said after being roped in by Warwickshire.

"I have always enjoyed playing in England with India and I'm excited to experience County Cricket. Edgbaston is (a) world-class stadium and the atmosphere it created this year for the Test was special. I'm really looking forward to making it my home in September and hopefully helping the Bears end the season well.

"I would like to extend my gratitude to both Warwickshire County Cricket Club and BCCI for this opportunity," he added. 

Warwickshire has endured a horrendous County Championship campaign this season. The club has won just one of their 11 matches so far and is languishing at the eighth spot on the points table. Their next game is against Somerset which is scheduled to begin on September 12. Later, the club will face Gloucestershire and Hampshire. 

"Siraj is a fantastic addition to the squad and we can't wait to welcome him to Warwickshire. He is one of the best fast bowlers in the world right now and his knowledge and experience will help bring an added dimension to our line-up," Paul Farbrace, Warwickshire's director of cricket said.

"It's been clear that we needed to strengthen our bowling attack for the crucial run-in period and I'm excited to see what Siraj can do in these three games," he added.

The 28-year-old is currently with the Indian squad that will face Zimbabwe in the three-match ODI series. Siraj registered figures of 1/36 in eight overs in the first ODI against Zimbabwe on August 18 (Thursday).