Middlesex sign Christian for T20 Blast

Daniel Christian, the Australia allrounder, will play for Middlesex as one of their overseas players during the NatWest Blast. Christian, who helped Hampshire to win the Friends Provident t20 in 2010, is expected to be available throughout the season, with most of the matches in England's new domestic T20 competition being played on Friday nights.

Capped 34 times by Australia, Christan was recently in action at the World T20. The 30-year-old has played 125 T20 matches in his career to date and was a member of the Brisbane Heat side that won the Big Bash League in 2012-13. He has also played in the IPL and for Gloucestershire in county cricket.

"When we sat down to identify the type of cricketer Middlesex CCC required for this summer's NatWest T20 Blast a seam bowling allrounder was top of our list," Angus Fraser, Middlesex's director of cricket, said. "We are therefore delighted to have attained the services of such an experienced, talented and dangerous cricketer.

"Unlike many of this summer's T20 signings Dan is available for selection for all of our NatWest T20 Blast Group matches, which was important to us. We believe Dan will offer the team experience and match winning performances; assets that any team would want to have. His recent appearances for Australia highlight how highly regarded he is Down Under too."

Christian, who has scored 1644 runs and taken 106 wickets in T20, will arrive in May ahead of the start of the T20 Blast. Middlesex begin their campaign with back-to-back matches against Essex and Sussex at Lord's on May 17, with newly appointed limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan set to take charge.

"I am delighted to have signed with Middlesex for the 2014 Natwest T20 Blast," Christian said. "The opportunity to play at the Home of Cricket is a dream come true and I can't wait to pull on a Middlesex shirt for the first time. Kicking off the tournament with a double-header at Lords against Sussex and Essex in front of what I am sure will be a full house promises to be one of the highlights of my career. I look forward to helping Eoin and the boys challenge for silverware this year."