Newman crosses the Thames

Scott Newman is grateful for the security of a permanent deal, after spending some of this year on loan to Nottinghamshire

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Middlesex have snapped up opening batsman Scott Newman on a three-year deal, on the day he officially parted company with neighbours Surrey.

The 29-year-old Epsom-born left-hander provides an experienced top-order option for Middlesex, and a ready replacement for Nick Compton, who will leave the club.

Newman crosses the Thames after nine seasons with his native Surrey, the final year of which saw him fall out of favour with new professional cricket manager Chris Adams and serve a loan spell with Nottinghamshire.

Newman said: “After a difficult season in 2009 which saw me sent out on loan to Nottinghamshire, I am delighted to have signed a permanent contract with Middlesex, which will see me playing cricket here for at least the next three seasons.

“I am relishing the opportunity of establishing my place within the Middlesex side and to playing some regular first-team cricket.”

Middlesex chief executive Vinny Codrington added: “In Scott Newman, Middlesex have secured the services of a well-respected and vastly experienced county professional.

“He has played in over one hundred first-class matches, has nearly 7,000 first-class runs to his name, and is the type of player that would have made a huge difference for us last season.

“We’re delighted that Scott has agreed to sign with Middlesex for the next three seasons, ahead of the other counties that have shown an interest in signing him, and are looking forward to him adding some invaluable experience and seniority to the top of our batting line-up.

"Batsmen tend to improve with age and we believe that Scott’s best days are ahead of him.”

Newman’s professional career began in explosive fashion in 2002, when he scored 99 on LV= County Championship debut for Surrey against Hampshire. That was followed by an innings of 183 against Leicestershire in just his second match.

Newman’s most memorable Surrey performance came against Glamorgan in 2005 when he struck a career-best 219, having made 117 in the first innings. This feat made him the first person to score both a double and a single century in the same match for Surrey.

He also had an electric start to the 2009 campaign in limited-overs cricket, but his form did not save him from Adams' shake-up, and he departed the Brit Oval a year before his contract was due to expire.