Lewis, 29, has left Surrey after a two-year stay at the Oval, which he described as ``very enjoyable'', to rejoin the county where he started his career in 1987. He spent three seasons with Nottinghamshire.

He said that the prospect of eventually taking over the Leicestershire captaincy had helped to lure him back to Grace Road: ``That sort of responsibility is something I want and it was a great experience for me to captain Surrey on occasions.

I believe my best days are still to come.''

Middlesex announced yesterday that their overseas player for 1998 will be Justin Langer, the Australia left-hander, who plays for Western Australia.