PAUL STIRLING RETURNS TO MIDDLESEX CRICKET
Today, Middlesex Cricket can announce that Paul Stirling will return to Lord's to represent the Club in their year's Vitality Blast competition, following the news that Australian Mitchell Marsh will not be available, having been called up by Australia to face the West Indies.
Returning to the Club, having left at the end of the 2019 season, Stirling is available to represent Middlesex for the first five Vitality Blast matches.
Stirling needs little or no introduction to Middlesex fans, with the Belfast born all-rounder returning to the Club where he excelled in white ball cricket for a decade between 2010 and 2019. In that time Stirling hit 2,246 runs in 89 Blast appearances for Middlesex, and a further 2,299 in 62 List-A appearances. With the ball, Stirling also adds a valuable spin option to the side, having already taken 23 wickets for Middlesex in the short format of the game. Internationally Stirling brings a huge amount of experience to a young Middlesex squad, with over 70 Ireland T20I caps to his name and over 2,000 international runs for his country in T20 cricket.
Middlesex will make an announcement on Marsh's replacement for the matches in the latter stages of the competition in the very near future.
Speaking of the return of Stirling, Angus Fraser, Middlesex's MD of Cricket said:
"Losing Mitch Marsh is obviously a blow, but if a team is looking for a strong, clean striker of a cricket ball, Paul is highly qualified to fill the role.
"Paul made a huge impression on Middlesex members and supporters during his initial time with the Club and it will be great to see him once again wearing a Middlesex shirt and representing the club".
Paul Stirling himself added:
"I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to play for Middlesex in the Blast.
"I have such fond memories and many friends within the Club and I am excited to entertain the public once more. I am looking to put on my best performances for the world to see, and hopefully a successful stint will create further opportunities, potentially in the Hundred, and further afield, as I would like to test myself in all competitions globally."
