Paul Stirling: Birmingham Bears re-sign Irish hitter for T20 Blast

The former Middlesex and Northants striker, 32, is expected to act as cover while Australian Glenn Maxwell is on duty in the Indian Premier League for the Royals Bangalore Challengers.

The T20 Blast season kicks off with two games at Edgbaston on Friday 20th May.

The IPL final is scheduled for Saturday, May 28, and if Bangalore gets there, Maxwell could miss three Bears games.< /p>

Stirling had 313 points in 13 games for the Bears last summer, including a stunning 46-ball century in his debut.

That was enough to help his side top the North Group before losing to eventual winners Hampshire in the quarter-finals.

"This is a short-term deal to cover what could be as little as one, or as many as three or four matches, after the Blast Off", said said Warwickshire first-team coach Mark Robinson.

" Much will depend on when the IPL final and the distance Glenn has covered the team is progressing.

"Paul had a big impact last season. The one in which he hit five sixes and a four in one more will live long in the memory of Bears fans."