Stirling signs new Middlesex contract

Highly-rated youngster Paul Stirling has signed a new three-year contract with Middlesex.

The Ireland international, 22, has been an ever-present for the club’s limited-over teams, scoring 1,277 runs at an average of almost 35.

“Paul is without doubt one of the most exciting young cricketers in the world,” declared Middlesex’s managing director of cricket Angus Fraser.

“I have watched a lot of cricket in the past 30 years but I have seen very few batsmen strike the ball as cleanly and hit the ball as far as Paul.

“If he is not quite on a par with the likes of Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard, he is not far behind.

“On his day he is almost impossible to bowl at, such is the array of strokes he can play.”

And Fraser believes it is only a matter of time before Stirling is in the frame for an England call-up.

“It can and should not be long before the England selectors begin enquiring about his availability as he would add a great deal to their one day and t20 team,” he said.

“Paul is a more than useful off-spin bowler and an excellent fielder too. Most importantly though is he is a cracking young man.

“Paul has so far made his name in limited-over cricket but it is our aim to get him into first-class cricket too.

“We believe he has the ability and potential to be equally destructive in this form of the game.”

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