Middlesex have signed rising Australia star Joe Burns as their mid-season overseas replacement for his compatriot Adam Voges.
Burns, who made his Test debut against India last winter, will arrive at Lord's shortly before Voges departs for Australia's pre-Ashes trip to the West Indies and will stay from early next month until mid-July, when he is then due to embark on an A tour of India.
Both Australian batsmen will be on hand for Middlesex's first NatWest T20 Blast match away to Gloucestershire, before Voges flies to the Caribbean.
Burns, 25, will then be available for seven LV= County Championship and 11 NatWest T20 Blast matches - after which Middlesex will recruit another replacement to cover for his Australia A and Voges' Ashes commitments.
“I’m very excited to sign with Middlesex for this season and to be linking up with this fantastic group of players," Burns said. "I’m looking forward to joining my team-mates in May as I've heard great things about the club culture.
"The chance to call Lord’s home is going to be special. The club has high ambitions for success in Division One, which was important for me. I am thrilled to get the opportunity to contribute to what is hopefully a very successful period for the club."
Voges was signed up by Middlesex last November in the expected absence of Chris Rogers.
Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser said: "We are delighted to be signing a hungry young Australian who will be desperate to show everyone what he is capable of doing.
"Joe is an exciting young batsman who has had an excellent winter and was unfortunate to miss out on Australia's tours.
"He has experience of batting anywhere in the top six, is a very good limited-overs player and an excellent fielder."