Daniel Sams signed up by Essex for T20 Blast

The left-arm seamer, who has played seven times for Australia, is set for his first spell in county cricket this summer

Essex have confirmed the signing of Australia left-arm seamer Daniel Sams for the T20 Blast.

The 29-year-old will join up with the 2019 winners after the conclusion of his commitments in the Indian Premier League with Mumbai Indians, which ends on May 29.

Eagles begin their campaign against Kent Spitfires on May 27 at Canterbury.

Sams has played seven times for Australia, all in the T20 format, taking four wickets.

He was named as a reserve for the victorious T20 World Cup campaign and is an unerringly consistent figure in the Big Bash League.

In 2019/20 he took a tournament-best 30 scalps and is Sydney Thunder's all-time leading wicket-taker with 75 in 56 matches.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to be part of Essex Eagles for the T20 Blast this season," he said.

^{Sams is Sydney Thunder's leading BBL wicket-taker (Getty Images/Mike Owen)}

"It is exciting to join a club with such a long and rich history and I look forward to joining the players, coaching staff and supporters and contributing on and off the field to the team’s success."

Essex's overseas ranks include the re-signing of Simon Harmer and the addition of Aussie quick Mark Steketee who is available for the first six County Championship matches.

Head coach Anthony McGrath, whose team have been in Abu Dhabi preparing for the new campaign, added: "I’m very pleased to secure the signing of Dan for the upcoming Vitality Blast campaign.

"He’s such a versatile player and has consistently been one of the top performers in the Big Bash in recent years.

"His left-arm angle is so effective in T20 cricket, but he also possesses an excellent change of pace which makes him a real handful. 

"He will also add some firepower to our batting unit, and he hits a long ball."