The Indian left arm spinner Murali Kartik has signed contract with Somerset for the next County season. Kartik has joined Somerset for next one year as an overseas player.

Kartik will replace Justin Langer in the Somerset squad. Langer was playing with Somerset since 2006 as an overseas player and he has decided to retire from the first class cricket.

Kartik has taken 475 first-class wickets at an average of 26.16 including 24 wickets at an average of 34.16 in eight Test matches and 37 wickets at 43.56 in 37 ODI matches while playing for India.

The 33 years old Murali had started his County carrier with Lancashire in 2005 and then he joined Middlesex in 2007. He is currently playing for Middlesex for third consecutive years.

In an interaction with media, Murali said that he is playing in the County cricket for last five years and he would like to take challenge of playing on different pitches to give new dimension to bowling attack of Somerset.

Brian Rose, Somerset's director of cricket said that they have advanced to First Division from Second Division and now they will need good quality bowling attack to win the championships. He added that they have two good bowlers in their squad and Kartik will provide depth to their bowling attack.