By Martin Gough and Arlo White
BBC Sport in Guyana |
 | At the end of the day I want to play Test cricket |
Ireland wicket-keeper Niall O'Brien proved a thorn in England's side last week but he could be fighting in their corner as early as October.
In their spirited defeat in Guyana on Friday, O'Brien took two catches before hitting a fluent 63 off 88 balls, including a cracking square drive for four off Andrew Flintoff.
The 25-year-old played a key role in securing Ireland a place at the World Cup Super 8 stage, with a match-winning knock in the upset of Pakistan.
But next month he will head to Northants, the county he has joined after three years in the Kent first team, and complete his residency qualification to play for England.
"I've been going through the legal process for the last couple of years and I qualify towards the end of October," he told BBC Sport.
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"I want to play Test cricket for England and that's the main aim.
"For the time being I want to play well for Ireland at the World Cup then cement my place in the Northants first XI.
"But at the end of the day I want to play Test cricket at the highest level."
In training on Tuesday ahead of Ireland's match against South Africa, O'Brien looked every inch the professional, practising a single sweep shot for longer than many of his team-mates spent in an entire net session.
 For now, O'Brien proudly wears the Irish Cricket Union shamrock |
He will be following in the footsteps of his friend Ed Joyce, who helped Ireland qualify for this World Cup before declaring for England.
Joyce faced intense scrutiny in the run-up to Friday's game, repeatedly facing questions about his change in allegiances, before having a difficult match.
"Everyone wanted a piece of him and he had his phone turned off for about a week prior to it," said O'Brien.
"I spoke to him briefly afterwards. He was a bit despondent - it was a big occasion and he wanted to get runs.
"Ed has led the way [for other Irish cricketers]. To play cricket at the highest level you've got to make some tough decisions along the way."
Of course, O'Brien cannot just waltz into the England side when he qualifies but there is plenty of uncertainty as to who will have the wicket-keeper's job in the long term.
Geraint Jones' return to Kent, after falling out of favour with England, saw O'Brien opt to move elsewhere to ensure a regular first-team place.
Chris Read was the last keeper to play for England in a Test while Paul Nixon was England's surprise choice as their one-day keeper this year.
"There's a lot of good wicket-keepers in England - people like Jon Batty at Surrey, Stephen Davies at Worcester, Nic Pothas at Hampshire - looking for that position," O'Brien added.
"At the moment I'm trying to keep my feet on the ground but scoring runs against international sides at the World Cup is not going to do me any harm.
"Hopefully if I can contribute a few more fifties - and maybe a sneaky hundred - before the end of the tournament it will open a few eyes."
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