Surrey hoping to re-sign Harbhajan

Surrey have announced that India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh is in talks to rejoin for the second half of next season.

Harbhajan, who had spells with the county in 2005 and 2007, would be available following India’s short tour of the West Indies which ends in early July.

The 28-year-old would be Surrey’s first overseas signing for next season, although new managing director Gus Mackay added at a members' forum earlier this week that he is investigating the possibility of signing an overseas one-day specialist for the start of the season.

India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh's most recent of two
spells at Surrey was in 2007

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Mackay criticised the signing of Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar on a short-term contract in September when former coach Alan Butcher was in charge.

Akhtar had not played competitive cricket for several months prior to joining Surrey and was some way below match fitness in the two LV County Championship matches he played.

Mackay said it sent “the wrong messages” to the club’s up and coming bowlers and he added: “whilst I am here, it won’t happen again.”

Surrey also used the meeting to announce young fast bowler Jade Dernbach has agreed a contract extension and teenager Seren Waters is to be offered a 'emerging player' contract.

Waters, who is a British passport holder, made his international debut for Kenya last month, scoring 74 in a one-day international against South Africa.

It was also revealed that premier batsman Mark Ramprakash is in talks over an extension to his contract which expires at the end of the 2009 season.

Meanwhile, captain Mark Butcher is recovering well from his knee operation and hopes to be back in full training by the end of February.