Middlesex captain Shaun Udal admits it will be a "huge honour" for him to lead the county in the Stanford Super Series.
Middlesex captain ready to make a splash in the Caribbean
Shaun Udal admits it will be a "huge honour" to lead out Middlesex in the Stanford Super Series - just a year on from announcing his retirement.
The veteran spinner had decided to bring the curtain down on his first-class career at the end of the 2007 season and looked set to play minor counties cricket.
However Middlesex tempted the 39-year-old to delay hanging up his boots and he went on to enjoy a successful campaign that culminated with him skippering the side.
Now Udal will captain the Crusaders in the Caribbean when they take on Trinidad & Tobago, the Stanford All-Stars and England, all
live on Sky Sports.
Indian summer
"For me, it's like an Indian summer," the former Hampshire player said.
"From where I was less than a year ago - when I'd retired and didn't really know what I was going to do with my life - this is completely amazing.
"I took the opportunity to play again. But then to go on and lead the side - which initially is something I didn't think about and probably didn't even want - is almost incredible.
"It's a huge honour to lead the first ever domestic side into the Stanford Series and then on to India - but it's certainly not just the money at stake.
"I'm not making any secret of the fact that I want to do this job again next year. After what has happened, I would be silly not to want that."
Udal took over the captaincy from batsman Ed Joyce, who had led the team to Twenty20 Cup glory on finals day at the Rose Bowl.
New faces
New signings Neil Carter and Neil Dexter have been included in a 15-man squad for the series in the West Indies but Owais Shah, who will be playing for England in the West Indies, and Dirk Nannes are both missing.
"We've lost one or two key players from the squad but taken on two more, and I'm convinced we are strong enough to be competitive," he added.
"We've still got an exceptionally talented squad, full of players who have made England squads this year and also our player of the season Tim Murtagh.
"It was a disgrace he didn't get into one of the squads this winter. With 105 wickets, what more could he do?"
