Lancashire snap up Kartik

Murali Kartik © Getty Images

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Lancashire’s hopes of lifting the C&G Trophy on Saturday have been boosted by the signing of Indian spinner Murali Kartik.

The left-armer is due to arrive in Manchester and will bolster Lancashire’s resources ahead of the final at Lord’s against Sussex, when they will attempt to win a major final for the first time since capturing the same trophy in 1998.

Kartik has been recruited because Australian batsman Brad Hodge has returned home for a boot camp organised by coach John Buchanan to try to toughen up his squad prior to the start of the Ashes series in November.

The spinner, who claimed 16 wickets in two championship matches when he appeared for Lancashire last season including 10 on his debut against Essex, will also feature in Thursday’s Twenty20 match against England.