An Australian fast bowler is to join Kent for the entirety of their 2023 T20 Blast campaign.

Kane Richardson is regarded as a white-ball specialist, often tasked with bowling what are considered as the most difficult overs to bowl in the shorter format - in the powerplay and at the death.

Richardson said: “Kent have a great T20 pedigree and I’m looking forward to the challenge of performing in the Vitality Blast for the first time.

“I know the club has won both English white-ball titles in the last two years and it’ll be my job to help us continue this hot run of form in 2023.

“I’m looking forward to meeting Kent’s members and supporters in May, as we begin the Vitality Blast.”

A winner of Australia’s domestic T20 competition, the Big Bash, the 31-year-old right-armer has played 154 T20 matches, taking 200 wickets. In his 90 Big Bash appearances so far, he has 117 wickets at an economy of 7.87.

He has 35 international T20 caps for Australia and 44 international T20 wickets, at an average of 23.29, and also has four years’ worth of Indian Premier League experience.

Richardson will link up with a Kent team which won the T20 Blast competition in 2021 before claiming the Royal London One-Day Cup in September at Trent Bridge as they beat Lancashire in the final.

He took 13 wickets in seven appearances for Birmingham Phoenix in the 2022 edition of The Hundred, averaging 13.15 with the ball. There, he played alongside Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone.

Kent director of cricket Paul Downton added: “We’re really excited to have Kane join us for the whole T20 competition this year.

“He’s an established international bowler who will bring a vast amount of experience to the club.

“His skill-set is up there with the best and he will be an invaluable source of information to our young and developing seamers.”

Kent Spitfires’ T20 opener is against Gloucestershire at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, Canterbury, on May 24.

Richardson is expected to remain available for Matt Walker’s team for any potential knock-out fixtures, should they progress that far in the competition.

He is Kent's second recruit in the close season, having last month signed 41-year-old seam bowler Michael Hogan on a one-year contract.