Surrey sign Nicholson

Seam bowler Matthew Nicholson © Getty Images

Surrey have signed former Australia Test bowler Matthew Nicholson as their second overseas player for the 2007 season.

Nicholson moves to Surrey after a season at Northamptonshire and will join Pakistani all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the club’s two foreign players.

Nicholson, who played in one Test match for Australia in 1998, was Northamptonshire's leading wicket taker in 2006, taking 46 wickets at 31.97 while also proving useful with the bat, scoring 454 runs at 28.37.

Mahmood, who joined Surrey in 2002, will also be on the Surrey staff for a further season and in five seasons with the club, the 31 year-old-has taken 150 first-class wickets at 30.83 as well as scoring 2300 runs at 37.7.

Surrey cricket manager, Alan Butcher said: "I am extremely pleased to have Azhar on board again who has been an excellent servant for us over the past five seasons.

“His ability with both bat and ball is unquestioned and gives us great flexibility in selection while Matthew will bring that added fire to our pace attack that we will certainly need moving into Division One.

“I'm really looking forward to working with him."