Steelbacks sign Ireland international Paul Stirling to play in Vitality T20 Blast

Stirling was the leading run scorer in T20 International cricket in 2019, as well as topping the run scorers in the recent ICC World T20 Qualifiers.

The hard-hitting opener has more than 5,000 career T20 runs at a strike rate of more than 140.

He left Middlesex at the end of last season after a 10-year stint at Lord's.

Ireland's elevation to Test status in 2017 meant that Irish internationals in English county cricket now must re-register as overseas players.

Stirling will be available to play in all but one of the matches that West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard won't play in his eight-match stint.

The 29-year-old is set to miss the Steelbacks' opening T20 match of the campaign at Lancashire Lightning, but will be eligible for five more matches, as well as the knockout stages if the County were to progress.

When he plays, Stirling will be the second overseas player in the Steelbacks squad alongside Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf.