Middlesex invest in Stirling

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Ireland batsman Paul Stirling impressed in this year's Clydesdale Bank 40 and has been tipped to enjoy further success at Middlesex

Highly-rated Ireland batsman Paul Stirling has committed his future to Middlesex by signing a new three-year deal.

The 21-year-old, who also bowls handy off-spin, has established a reputation as one of the brightest prospects in the game with a series of impressive performances for club and country.

A powerful presence at the top of the order, Stirling struck one-day hundreds against the Netherlands, Pakistan and Scotland in 2011, and also contributed 535 runs in Middlesex’s Clydesdale Bank 40 campaign, at an average of 53 and a strike-rate of 128.

Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said: “Paul is, without doubt, one of the most exciting young batsmen around. I have seen very few batsmen strike the ball as cleanly or hit the ball as far as Paul does.

“Last season he played half a dozen shots that I will never forget. Along with being brutal, they were technically and aesthetically beautiful.

"He has the ability to take apart any bowling attack, and there are very few players capable of doing that.

“Paul has made his name to date in limited-overs cricket but he has the game and talent to thrive in the longer form too, and over the next few years we expect him to become equally destructive in four-day cricket.”

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