Essex snap up Harbhajan

Want to know what's happening at your county? Interested in how your rivals are faring? Look no further than ecb.co.uk's county-by-county page

India spinner Harbhajan Singh will join Essex for the second half of the season.

Harbhajan, who celebrates his 32nd birthday today, has agreed to join the county in mid-July for their eight remaining LV= County Championship games as well as their final seven fixtures in the Clydesdale Bank 40.

Essex coach Paul Grayson is hoping the arrival of the experienced off-spinner, who has over 400 Test wickets, will galvanise a side which has won just once in Division Two this term.

Essex head coach Paul Grayson described new signing Harbhajan Singh, pictured, as "one of the best spinners in world cricket"

“We are delighted to have signed one of the best spinners in world cricket over the last 10 years or so,” he told Essex’s website.

“Harbhajan is a great character who is a match-winner and I believe that his mentality will rub off on the rest of the playing squad here at Essex.

“I am really excited at the prospect of having him in the squad and this signing for the second half of the season shows that Essex mean business and will continue to fight in the LV= County Championship and Clydesdale Bank 40 formats of the game.”

Harbhajan has experience of the county circuit having previously played for Surrey in 2004 and 2007.

He made his Test debut for India against Australia in 1998 and has gone on to feature in 98 matches, ranking 10th in the list of all-time Test wicket-takers.

He has also proved prolific in one-day international cricket, accruing 255 scalps.

Harbhajan’s first appearance for his new team is set to be against Gloucestershire on July 11.