England have capped more ODI players in the last three years than any other Test nation, and it seems that anyone is in with a chance of catching the selectors’ eye if they put in a good enough county season. Enter Tim Murtagh.

A 2007 move to Middlesex seemed to do Murtagh the world of good – he took 38 wickets in List A matches in the 2007 season at an impressive average of 14.50.

Such cheap wickets can only be an asset to a side in the limited-overs game and with some of the expensive bowling figures England’s choices have been turning out recently, many must be wondering how long it will be before they turn the focus of their bowler search on to who can take the cheapest wickets.

'A wicket-taking bowler with a good economy rate is a find for any side'


Murtagh’s 14.50 gave him the lowest bowling average out of all England-qualified bowlers who took ten or more wickets in List A matches in 2007. Throw in his strike rate (18.1) and Murtagh looks to be one of the most effective limited-overs bowlers that England have at their disposal.

While England's batsmen continue to fail to reach the 10-an-over targets that the likes of South Africa’s Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers showed off at the World Cup, England must focus on restricting their opponents’ run rate instead.

As well as his excellent strike rate and bowling average, Tim Murtagh finished 2007 with an average economy rate of 4.79 – enough to restrict any side to a beatable total.

A wicket-taking bowler with a good economy rate is a find for any side and England are sorely lacking in bowlers of Murtagh’s calibre. With more control on the part of their strike bowlers, England could better restrict their opponents’ scores, making run chases far easier.

A batting average of just over 11 is not going to make Murtagh an essential part of England’s batting line-up, but a strike rate of 88 and a handful of fours and sixes in 2007 makes him a potentially useful tail-ender, not afraid to take a swipe at the end of an innings.

Economical and a wicket-taker, it is a surprise that Tim Murtagh’s name has not yet been picked up by the scatter-gun England management.

Another strong season with Middlesex could see him well on his way to England success. Fast-to-medium pace bowlers have enjoyed increased rewards in the international arena in the past months. Murtagh could very well be next.