Dwayne Bravo joins Middlesex for six Vitality Blast games

Middlesex have signed Dwayne Bravo, the West Indies allrounder, for the first six games of the Vitality Blast, in a bid to improve on a record that has seen the club reach one T20 quarter-final in the last ten years.

Last season, Middlesex brought in Daniel Vettori as a specialist T20 coach, but could only manage a seventh-place finish in the South Group. The previous year, they reached the last eight, but have not enjoyed significant success in the competition since lifting the old Twenty20 Cup in 2008.

Bravo is recognised as one of the world's premier T20 cricketers, currently playing a leading role with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. He has previously had stints in England with Kent, Essex and, most recently, Surrey - who will be his first opponents in a Middlesex shirt, when their campaign begins at Lord's on July 5.

"I've been fortunate enough throughout my career to have played all round the world and Lord's in London is a place that really excites me," Bravo said. "I have no hesitation committing to Middlesex for six games of the Vitality Blast and am looking forward to joining Dan Vettori's squad at the start of July."

Middlesex have already signed Ashton Agar for this year's Blast, with the Australia spinner available for the entire competition.

Speaking of Bravo's arrival, Middlesex managing director of cricket, Angus Fraser, said: "Dwayne is one of the most exciting and best T20 players in the world. He can win games of cricket with bat or ball. He may only be available for six games, but I expect him to have an impact in a number of these matches. I'm sure he is a player the huge Lord's crowds will enjoy watching."