Southee signs on with Middlesex

London - New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee has agreed to play for Middlesex during the English county's Twenty20 Blast campaign.

Southee, 28, will join Middlesex in early July and is scheduled to be available for 13 of their 14 group matches, plus the knockout stages if required.

Fellow Kiwis Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori had already been appointed Middlesex captain and coach respectively for the competition, while another New Zealander, James Franklin, leads the team in the County Championship and One Day Cup.

Middlesex 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.

"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," he said.