Northants tie up bowling pair

With Nicky Boje leaving at the end of the season, James Middlebrook is set to become Northants' leading slow bowler

Northamptonshire bowlers James Middlebrook and Lee Daggett have signed new two-year deals to stay at the county until the end of 2012.

Middlebrook, the 33-year-old off-spinner, joined the club on a one-year deal from Essex over the winter, and consistent performances have seen him establish himself as the frontline slow bowler in all three competitions.

His gutsy performances in the lower-order have also bailed out a struggling Northants batting line-up on a number of occasions.

Former Warwickshire seamer Daggett, 27, who joined the club last year, has proved a success in limited-overs cricket over the last two seasons, and is the Steelbacks’ highest wicket-taker in the Clydesdale Bank 40 with 10 victims.

Head coach David Capel said: “James has settled in gradually over the summer as a senior player coming in from a long-term stint at Essex.

“He has bowled well for us, especially in the Twenty20s, and will have an important role to play in the championship for the rest of the season. We’re looking forward to having James around with us for the future.

“Lee has done well since he joined us. It’s pleasing to see the progress he has made and more so that he’s decided to sign for another two years. It’s good news for player and club.”