Sussex target Styris and Albie Morkel

Sussex are close to signing New Zealand allrounder Scott Styris as an overseas player for Friends Life t20 and are also keen on securing Albie Morkel for the second half of the 2012 season.

Styris, 36, who retired from international cricket in June, represented Essex in Twenty20 during 2010 and 2011, Durham in 2007 and Middlesex in 2005 and 2006. He has played 128 Twenty20 matches and holds a batting strike-rate of 133.48 along with 90 wickets at an economy rate of 7.53.

Sussex also have their eye on Morkel, another allrounder, to bolster their side for the closing stages of the season. His availability remains unclear, however, as he has just won a recall to his national ODI squad. South Africa tour England for two months from mid-July.

It is understood that Morkel is of interest to several counties and he has had previous spells with Durham.