Nathan Sowter, an Australian-born legspinner, first attracted attention in 2015 with two wickets for two runs to win a NatWest T20 Blast against Kent at Lord's with the first four balls of his career. Since then he has developed into a vital component of Middlesex's Twenty20 attack.

Sowter played in four further matches after his debut without taking a further wicket but impressed sufficiently to earn a further contract to play white-ball cricket. Twelve T20 matches during which he only conceded 7.22 runs/over emphasised his value and his returns were similarly impressive the following year, including a career-best 4 for 23 against Essex on the way.

Born in Penrith, Sowter represented New South Wales at Under-23 level before joining Middlesex. His introduction to English cricket came with Surrey Championship side. An English passport, courtesy of his Northumberland-born mother, means he did not have to be registered as their overseas player and 99 wickets in his two full seasons stirred Middlesex's interest.

ESPNcricinfo staff