Middlesex have signed Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh as one of their overseas players for this year's Vitality Blast. Marsh is expected to be available for the duration of the competition, including the knockout stages if Middlesex qualify.

Marsh enjoyed a productive 2019-20 Big Bash League, scoring 382 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of 145.24, and subsequently being recalled to the Australia T20I set-up for their tour of South Africa. He has also featured for three different teams in the IPL, but this will be his first Blast stint.

Middlesex reached the Blast quarter-finals last year and have retained Afghanistan spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman, but Marsh's signing means that AB de Villiers will not be returning.

"It's great to have Mitch with us for the Blast this season," Middlesex's head coach, Stuart Law, said. "The experience he's had in different T20 competitions around the world will be a real plus for our dressing room.

"Mitch is a hard-hitting batsman, steady medium fast bowler and athletic in the field. I'm looking forward to seeing the big man contribute to our season in a positive way. As a tremendous team man and such a loveable character, I'm sure he'll fit in well with our group."

Marsh, 28, has plenty of experience of playing in England, as part of two Ashes tours and also during the 2013 Champions Trophy. He was due to play county cricket in 2018, having signed for Surrey, but had to pull out of the deal in order to undergo ankle surgery.

"I'm very excited to play for Middlesex in this year's Vitality Blast," Marsh said. "The opportunity to play at this great club with an exciting list of players is something I'm very proud of and hopefully we can play some great cricket and entertain the fans along the way."