Essex Women sign Kirk on loan from The Blaze

Essex have signed batter Michaela Kirk on loan from The Blaze for their five remaining group games in the Women's T20 Blast.

The South Africa-born 27-year-old played against Essex at Chelmsford on 28 June, a game The Blaze won by nine wickets, but did not bat or bowl.

Essex are currently sixth in the group table, nine points adrift of fourth, which they would need to reach to progress to the knockout stage.

"This is a great opportunity to work on my game in a different environment and get some valuable game time so I am sharp if called upon by The Blaze over the rest of the summer," Kirk said.