Southee signs T20 Blast deal with Middlesex

19 April 2017 04:39

Tim Southee will link up with several former New Zealand team-mates after Middlesex announced the signing of the fast bowler for the majority of their NatWest T20 Blast campaign.

Southee, an experienced campaigner in all formats for the Kiwis, will join the London county in early July and be available for 13 of their 14 group matches, plus the knockout stages if required.

Former Black Caps skippers Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori have been appointed captain and coach respectively for the competition while another New Zealander, James Franklin, leads Middlesex in the other two formats.

Middlesex's managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said of Southee: "Tim is one of the leading fast bowlers in the world. He has plenty of experience in T20 cricket and looks to bowl in the periods where we feel we could be better ."

Southee, currently representing Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League, has played 57 Tests, 116 one-day and 39 Twenty20 internationals.

The 28-year-old added: "When the opportunity came up to play for Middlesex, it wasn't a tough decision to make and I'm looking forward to calling Lord's home while I'm there."

Source: PA