Ireland trio set for Pakistan return
South African Klein signs with Leicestershire
LONDON, July 28, (AFP): Ireland are set to welcome back Niall O’Brien, Craig Young and Boyd Rankin for their forthcoming one-day international series against Pakistan.
The trio all missed the recent drawn series against Afghanistan but will be available for next month’s two ODIs with Pakistan at Malahide, near Dublin.
O’Brien, who struck 72 in Ireland’s 2007 World Cup win over Pakistan, is fit following a calf problem, while Young is back after an elbow injury.
Meanwhile Rankin is set to make his return to Irish cricket, having briefly represented England in just one Test, against Australia at Sydney in 2014.
“It’s great to have an almost full-strength squad to choose from,” said Ireland coach John Bracewell on Thursday.
“The bowling unit performed superbly against Afghanistan with the younger
Klein
seamers in particular putting their hands up,” the former New Zealand off-spinner added.
“The return of Boyd and Craig adds to that department and gives us plenty of options which is exactly what a coach wants.
“The return of Niall adds experience to the top order. We tried a few different permutations with the batting order last week — some of which worked and some which didn’t.
“Ed Joyce was obviously the stand-out performer in his new role as opener, and it was great to see Gary Wilson return to form.
“It should be a fantastic series — there’s a great recent history between the two countries with some great matches over the past decade, and I’m certain it’ll be two tough games when we meet in Dublin next month.”
Leicestershire have signed South African seamer Dieter Klein until the end of next season, the English county announced Thursday.
The 27-year-old left-armer made his debut in Tuesday’s One-Day Cup clash against Lancashire, taking two wickets.
Klein also took five wickets in a second XI fixture against MCC Universities and now Midlands side Leicestershire have signed him on a permanent deal.
In South African first-class cricket, Klein has taken 154 wickets at 25.99 in 42 matches.
Leicestershire’s elite performance director Andrew McDonald said Thursday: “Dieter comes with a good pedigree and greatly impressed when playing in our Second XI and training with us. We’re delighted to have him on board to bolster our bowling roster.”
Australia’s Nathan Lyon on Thursday became the country’s first off-spinner to bag 200 Test wickets, during his team’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Pallekele.
Lyon claimed Sri Lanka’s Dhanajay de Silva, who was caught at midoff, to reach the milestone in the second session of the third day’s play, triggering celebrations in the Aussie camp.
Lyon, who had already passed former Australian off-spinner Hugh Trumble’s tally of 141 wickets, has now picked up five wickets in the game which looks evenly balanced.