Paul Stirling will play once again for the Birmingham Bears aka Warwickshire in the T20 Blast this summer.

The 32 year-old has signed a short-term deal as cover for Glenn Maxwell, who misses the start of the competition due to his IPL commitments with Royal Chargers Bangalore.

There is uncertainty over the number of games Stirling will feature in, and no mention if it will impact on his availability for the Test match at Lord's against England on June 1-4.

Stirling isn't included in the Test squads for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka next month, with Ireland Coach Heinrich Malan suggesting there was 'a mutual decision' for him to concentrate on white-ball cricket in a year where there are potentially two World Cup qualifiers on the horizon.

Birmingham Bears first match is on May 20th versus Yorkshire, followed by matches against Leicestershire (26th May), Lancashire (29th May), and one of his former clubs Northamptonshire on the eve of the Test (May 31st).

“We’re very lucky to be able to call on somebody of Paul’s calibre as cover," said Warwicshire Head Coach Mark Robinson.

"It’s a short-term deal to cover what could be as little as one or up to three or four matches after the Blast Off. A lot will depend on when the final of the IPL is scheduled and how far Glenn’s team progresses.

“Paul made a big impact last season and the one over in which he hit five sixes and one four in an over will live long in the memory of Bears’ fans. But he was also great to have in the Club and around the dressing room. He’s a great lad with huge domestic and international experience. I’m looking forward to welcoming him back into the Bears fold.”