Michaela Kirk has been loaned to Essex for the final five group-stage games of this season’s Vitality Blast.

South Africa-born Kirk, who turns 27 today, has made 39 all-format appearances for The Blaze, with a top score of 40.

Originally hailing from Pretoria, she has Scottish heritage and moved to England in 2021, making her debut for then-named Lightning - the former name of The Blaze - that same year.

She will be available for selection from the Chelmsford outfit’s trip to Edgbaston to face Warwickshire on Wednesday.

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

“I always want to be the best cricketer I can be, and I’m grateful to The Blaze management for the opportunity to keep working on my skills and get match practice in the short-term.

“I can’t wait to get back to The Blaze later this summer, and I’ll still be supporting them and wishing them all the best while I’m away.”

Essex currently sit sixth in the nine-team Vitality Blast table, nine points off the top four qualification places for Finals Day.

After their away game in Birmingham this week, they will face four further assignments, in the form of home and away ties with Somerset, a trip to Durham, and a home game against Surrey.