Bracewell to quit

John Bracewell will step down as Ireland cricket coach at the end of his current contract in December after 21⁄2 years in the job. Ireland were awarded test status by the International Cricket Council in June. However, following talks with Cricket Ireland this week, former New Zealand coach Bracewell, 59, and his employers are said to have agreed a ‘‘mutual decision’’ that he will not be the coach to lead the country into the test arena. ‘‘Having been down the full-on full member road before with New Zealand Cricket, it is not my desire to do so again,’’ Bracewell said.