Essex get India’s Umesh Yadav for County Championship climax

Essex have announced the signing of India seamer Umesh Yadav for the last three matches of the LV= Insurance County Championship campaign. 

Yadav, 35, has played 57 Test matches for his country alongside 75 One-Day Internationals and nine T20Is, taking a combined 288 wickets.

He made his Test debut in a five-wicket victory over the West Indies in Delhi in November 2011, with his most recent appearance in the format coming in June’s World Test Championship Final against Australia at the Oval.

He has represented Vidarbha in India’s domestic Ranji Trophy and Central Zone in the Duleep Trophy at first-class level in his homeland, and possesses an overall red-ball bowling average of 29.49.

Yadav, who will replace the departing Doug Bracewell as Essex’s second overseas player, will be eligible for selection in home clashes with Middlesex and Hampshire, as well as the end of season trip to Northamptonshire.

“I am really pleased to join Essex and make what I hope will be some valuable contributions to the team’s success this year,” he said.

“I enjoyed playing in England with Middlesex last season, and it will be good to return and test myself in those conditions again, especially in the midst of a title race.”

Essex head coach Anthony McGrath added: “Umesh is a superb signing for us, and we all know what he will be able to bring to our attack at a crucial time of the season.

“He is vastly experienced and has taken wickets at the top levels of the game for more than a decade now, so as well as contributing during our run-in, we hope he can pass on some of his wisdom to our young players too.”