Yorkshire sign all-rounder James Middlebrook as Adil Rashid cover

Middlebrook will provide cover at Yorkshire while leg-spinner Adil Rashid is on England duty

Yorkshire have signed all-rounder James Middlebrook on a short-term deal, as cover for England international Adil Rashid.

Leeds-born Middlebrook, 37, returns for a second spell at Headingley having played for the reigning county champions between 1998 and 2001.

He was released by Northants at the end of last season and has been playing club cricket in the Bradford League.

"To get the call was a shock. I'm excited," Middlebrook said.

"I wasn't expecting it but I'm looking forward to my second debut with the club.

"It will be a big honour to walk out in front of the Yorkshire members at Headingley."

A useful lower-order batsman, Middlebrook was Northants' top-scorer with over 800 runs as they were relegated from the first division in 2014.

In total he has scored 7824 first-class runs, including 10 centuries, with a highest score of 127.

Middlebrook, who spent eight seasons with Essex, has also taken 458 wickets in his 220 matches in the longer format.

He is in line for his second debut for the Tykes after being drafted into their 12-man squad for the championship visit of Warwickshire starting on Sunday.

Leg-spinner Rashid is currently in the Caribbean with England but is yet to make his Test debut after being overlooked for the first two matches against the West Indies.

Yorkshire's request to have Rashid sent home to play county cricket was rejected by the England and Wales Cricket Board.