Niall O'Brien returns to Ireland squad

Cricket:Wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien has been included in the Ireland squad for Saturday week's RSA Challenge one-day international against Australia, a game that is likely to see Middlesex bowler Tim Murtagh make his debut.

O’Brien was not selected for Ireland’s World Twenty20 qualifying campaign earlier this year after taking up a contract in the Bangladesh Premier League, and his return comes with a strong message from national coach Phil Simmons that he must work hard to oust Gary Wilson from behind the stumps.

Speaking about O’Brien’s return to the squad, Simmons said: “There’s no doubt he’s among the best 14 players that Ireland have, but Gary Wilson did superbly in the UAE, so Niall knows he’s going to have work hard and be at his best to regain the gloves.”

Murtagh was called in as a replacement player for the T20 qualifiers, but failed to break into the side. The London-born player is likely to start in Belfast as Boyd Rankin misses out as he continues to recuperate from a stress fracture in a foot.

“Although Tim Murtagh hasn’t played for Ireland yet, he’s been bowling superbly for Middlesex so that will soften the blow of losing Boyd. Max Sorensen and Trent Johnston were fantastic in the UAE so we have plenty of options in the squad having so many all-rounders.”

Simmons is hopeful that the experience of running Australia so close two years ago in Clontarf will stand to his side this time around.

“We had a great opportunity to beat them two years ago and threw it away. We’ve learned from that and are two years more experienced now. I’d back us to win that game at this stage given the same chance,” said Simmons.

“These games are the sort of fixtures we’ve been crying out for and hopefully there will be many more of them in the coming years.”

IRELAND SQUAD

William Porterfield (captain) (Warwickshire), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Somerset), Trent Johnston (YMCA), Ed Joyce (Sussex), John Mooney (North County), Tim Murtagh (Middlesex), Kevin O’Brien (Railway Union/Somerset), Niall O’Brien (Northants), Max Sorensen (The Hills), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).