Middlesex Cricket has confirmed the return of Irish all-rounder Paul Stirling for the upcoming Vitality Blast T-20 competition. Stirling will be replacing Australia’s Mitchell Marsh, who will be unavailable due to Australia’s white-ball series against West Indies. For the new season, Stirling will feature in the first five matches of the tournament.
The Irish all-rounder had left the club at the end of 2019. He has previously represented the club for ten long years, amassing 2246 runs in 89 Blast appearances during his spectacular first stint spanning from 2010 till 2019. Apart from his wonders in the English T20 competition, Stirling also has 2,299 runs in 62 List-A appearances.
The all-rounder brings a huge amount of international experience to the Middlesex side. In 70 T20I games for Ireland, Sterling has scored 2,000 runs. With the ball, Stirling also adds a valuable spin option to the side, having already taken 23 wickets for Middlesex during his previous stint for T20 Blast.
The Managing Director of Cricket at Middlesex, Angus Fraser seemed to be thrilled to have Stirling back to their side who had previously made a great impression of himself at the club. Fraser 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.”
The Irish international is also excited to be once again associated with his old club, who might see this as an opportunity to prove his worth in world cricket. Speaking of his return, Stirling said, “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.”
Middlesex will be making a formal announcement in the latter half of Vitality Blast regarding a new replacement, as it seems unlikely that Mitchell Marsh will make a return due to the quarantine norms and restrictions over travel to the UK.