Middlesex re-sign former Glamorgan skipper Dalrymple

Dalrymple made his highest first-class score, 244, at The Oval in 2004

Jamie Dalrymple has returned to Middlesex following his abrupt exit from Glamorgan in November.

The 30-year-old all-rounder left Lord's in 2007 for Cardiff, where he spent three seasons, the last two as skipper.

But Dalrymple, who played 27 one-day games for England, resigned from the Glamorgan staff after being replaced as captain by Alviro Petersen.

Kenya-born Dalrymple is not available for selection in all competitions for Middlesex until 3 June.

"At a pinch we could have rushed Jamie's return so that he was available for the start of the season," said Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser. "But I did not think this was right.

"I believe the players who have trained hard this winter deserve the first opportunity to stake a claim for first team selection. Depriving them of this opportunity at the start of the season would have had a de-motivating effect on the squad."

"I will be watching the early season closely and wish the team every success whilst trying to get up to speed as soon as possible," said Radley College and Oxford University-educated Dalrymple, who had been considering a new career in the city.

"I am delighted to have been able to rejoin the club I played with for so long,"

Dalrymple made 2,725 runs at 30.27 in 62 first-class matches in his previous time at Lord's, taking 95 wickets.

He also made 1,964 runs in 96 one-day matches at 31.17, while weighing in with 360 from 22 Twenty20 matches.

"Along with his cricketing skills, Jamie is a natural leader who brings experience and know-how," added Fraser.

"The departure of Owais Shah has left us with one fewer experienced, destructive match-winning middle order batsman in limited-over cricket.

"We believe Jamie can fulfil that role. He also bowls good off-spin and is a magnificent fielder. Jamie's arrival gives our squad an excellent balance of experience and youth."