Seam duo leave Middlesex

Alan Richardson is one of two Middlesex pace bowlers to be leaving the county at the end of the season

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Middlesex have announced that seamers Alan Richardson and Chris Silverwood will leave the county at the end of the season.

Richardson has signed a two-year contract with Worcestershire from the start of next season, while the club have not offered former England pace bowler Silverwood a new deal for 2010.

The pair, both of whom are 34, have been limited by injuries through their Middlesex careers.

Richardson played 43 first-class matches since joining from Warwickshire in 2005 and Silverwood has played 35 times since leaving Yorkshire in 2006.

The club offered Richardson a new role combining coaching and playing, but he rejected the opportunity in order to extend his playing career.

Richardson said: "I am really excited at the prospect of playing with Worcestershire. The opportunity to work with Steve Rhodes and Vikram Solanki was too good to miss.

"I am now looking forward to the challenges ahead and playing good cricket at a club I have always felt welcome at."

Worcestershire director of cricket Rhodes added: "I have long been an admirer of Alan's bowling ability so to secure his services is a real boost.

"Apart from being a fine bowler in his own right, he will bring his vast experience and positive attitude which can only help at this stage of the team's development."