Franklin ends New Zealand career with Middlesex move

LONDON: New Zealand all-rounder James Franklin effectively ended his international career after it was announced Friday the 34-year-old all-rounder had signed a two-year contract with English county Middlesex.

The left-hander is set to play as a non-overseas player with the county, subject to clearance from the England and Wales Cricket Board, on account of his Irish ancestry.

Such a classification would render Franklin ineligible to continue to represent New Zealand, for whom he has featured in 31 Tests, 110 one-day internationals and 38 Twenty20 matches, although the last of these appearances was in 2013.

Now the left-hander, a big-hitting batsman and medium-pace bowler, intends to remain with Wellington until the end of the current New Zealand domestic season in early April before heading to London.

"Whilst I´m very honoured to be joining Middlesex for the next few years, I want to first take my cap off to Wellington for whom I´ve had a hugely enjoyable and memorable career in New Zealand," said Franklin in a Middlesex statement.

"It´s been an absolute privilege to play for Wellington for over 15 years.

"And although this decision closes the chapter on playing for New Zealand again I know I´ve been incredibly fortunate to have spent over a decade being involved playing international cricket, and have had some of my greatest memories and experiences in cricket playing with the Silver Fern on my cap.

"My family and I will relocate to London in April and we´re all very excited about what the future holds," added Franklin, who has previously played county cricket for Gloucestershire, Essex, Glamorgan and Nottinghamshire. (AFP)