​Middlesex have found themselves a first-class fast bowler in the shape of Iain O’Brien, whose signing was announced at the weekend.

The New Zealander may not be quite up there with the elite pacemen in the world, but he is a high-quality operator, reliable, determined and willing to bowl uphill into the wind, all day if asked to.

O’Brien demonstrated that at Grace Road last season when, despite having only brief spells with Leicestershire due to international calls, he was among the wickets in all forms of the game. His five-wicket spell which won the Twenty20 game at Liverpool was simply outstanding.

It is no secret that County would have liked to engage the affable Kiwi again this season – and he would have been more than welcome – but, with Andrew McDonald already signed up, that was always a slim chance.

Hopefully, O’Brien’s wicket-taking ability will not be too badly missed at Grace Road with Matthew Hoggard set to appear for the Foxes, while McDonald should snap up his share in the all-rounder’s role.

Middlesex, though, will surely benefit. And having O’Brien around will help the development of young quickie Steve Finn, who is highly-rated around the county circuit.

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India took something of a big stick to Sri Lanka in the recent Test series between the southern hemisphere neighbours and promptly elevated themselves to the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time.

It should come as no surprise, however, that it has taken India so long to reach top spot. This year they have featured in just half-a-dozen Tests as one-day cricket has held sway on their schedule.

That doesn’t sit well with the purists, even more so as the Indians have such a wealth of talent and can be a delight to watch when they do tackle the five-day format.

A look at the side that made short work of Sri Lanka shows few weaknesses. They have a string of batsmen who can dominate opposition bowling attacks, a battery of wicket-taking seam bowlers and high-class spinners.

South Africa can go back ahead of India if they hand out similar treatment to England in the four-match series which begins next week.

But, with Australia currently rebuilding, India are the team to beat on the occasions they do turn their attention to the five-day arena.