By Robin Chipperfield

All-rounder Cairns is a familiar figure at Trent Bridge (Getty Images)

New Zealand all-rounder Chris Cairns is set to come out of retirement and play for Nottinghamshire in their Twenty20 campaign, reports BBC Radio Nottingham.

Cairns, who first played for Notts 20 years ago and has had several spells with the club, is set to sign in time for Friday's opening Twenty20 game.

"The registration could go down to the wire but I'm fit to play and I can't wait to get started," said Cairns, 37.

Cairns has a Dutch wife so he can sign for Notts as a European national.

He played 62 Tests and 215 one-day internationals for New Zealand between 1989 and 2006 and joins fellow Kiwi Andre Adams at the County Ground.

The Twenty20 format suits my style because I like to entertain Chris Cairns

Cairns, whose side face Yorkshire on Friday, said he was thrilled to be returning to Trent Bridge: "Notts have been part of my life for twenty years and I truly thought I had played my last game for the club so I am pleased to have the chance to make a return.

"I am a Notts member, I have always kept an eye on the results and there is no other club that I would have rather joined."

Cairns, who has recently captained the Chandigarh Lions in the rebel Indian Cricket League Twenty20 tournament, added: "The Twenty20 format suits my style because I like to entertain and I love winning cricket matches."

The move remains subject to ECB approval and Notts hope to receive confirmation of completion on Thursday.