Muraji Vijay to play for English county side Somerset

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Out of favour, India batsman Murali Vijay will play for English side Somerset in the final three Specsavers County Championship matches of the season, the club announced on Monday. 

"Somerset County Cricket Club are pleased to be able to announce that Murali Vijay will be joining the Club as our overseas player for the final three Specsavers County Championship matches of the season," the club said on its website.

Vijay replaced Azhar Ali who was recalled by Pakistan earlier this month.

The 35-year-old Indian has played 61 Tests, scoring 3982 runs at an average of 38.28 with a top score of 167. His First-Class career encompasses 131 matches in which he has scored 9116 runs at an average of 42.79 with a top score of 266.

He featured in three Specsavers County Championship matches for Essex last season, scoring over 320 runs at an average of 64.60.

After signing for the Club, Vijay said: "I am excited about the challenge of trying to help Somerset push for the County Championship. Somerset have an excellent reputation and I am looking forward to being a part of what they are trying to achieve." 

Somerset CCC Director of Cricket Andy Hurry said: "We are delighted to have been able to secure the services of such a high-quality player for the remainder of the County Championship. To have signed a player of his class and ability at this stage of the season is a real coup.

"He has experience of English conditions, having played in the Championship for Essex last year, and that was extremely important to us when it came to selecting a replacement for Azhar."