Lancashire and England Lions legspinner Matt Parkinson has signed with Melbourne Stars for the Big Bash.
He will play half the season for the Stars when Nepal legspinner Sandeep Lamichhane switches to the Bangladesh Premier League.
Parkinson has established himself as one of the leading limited-overs bowlers in English domestic cricket. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 2018 T20 Blast with 25 scalps at 16.60 and an economy rate of 7.32, which backed up being the leading bowler in the 50-over Royal London Cup with 18 wickets, as he pushed his claims for full England honours.
"I am hugely excited to have signed for the Melbourne Stars. It's one of the biggest T20 competitions in the world and I can't wait to get over there and meet the rest of the squad," Parkinson said. "It's a competition I have watched and admired for a long time and one that I've always wanted to play in. To have the chance to play for the Stars at the Melbourne Cricket Ground would be a dream come true.
"Whilst I've been really pleased with my T20 form over the last couple of years, I still have a lot to learn with the white ball and this will be another fantastic opportunity for me to develop my game, learn from some of the best players in the world and challenge myself in-front of some really big crowds."
Legspin will play a key part for the Stars throughout the competition with Adam Zampa, who has been recalled by Australia for the series against Pakistan, also in the squad.