Nigel Jones has played twice for Ireland

Civil Service North all-rounder Nigel Jones has been called in to the Ireland squad for their tour to Sri Lanka.

Jones, who has played twice for Ireland in Twenty20 fixtures, replaces injured opening bowler Boyd Rankin, who has been diagnosed with a foot injury.

"I have a stress reaction in my right foot and am wearing a protective cast - it's not broken but it has to be rested for four or five days," said Rankin.

"I've been told it could take between two or three weeks to fully heal."

"We'll know more when I get it checked out again next week at Warwickshire, where I'll be doing my rehabilitation," he added.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons said Jones was "a talented player who is a useful bowler and a very talented batsman".

"Nigel will come in for the Sri Lanka leg of the tour but we'll not make a decision on the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers until we get an update on Boyd's fitness," said Simmons.

Ireland play Afghanistan in a four-day Intercontinental Cup fixture from January 21-24, before both take part in a quadrangular T20 tournament alongside Sri Lanka A and Canada.

The team then move to Dubai where they participate in the Twenty20 World Cup Qualifiers from 9-13 February.

Gary Kidd was named in the Ireland squad for both the Intercontinental Cup clash against Afghanistan and the ICC World Twenty20 qualifiers in UAE.

Kidd replaced his Waringstown team-mate Kyle McCallan who has announced his retirement from international cricket.

Kidd won the last of his 15 caps back in 2008 and is delighted at his return to the senior ranks.

"I've been given this chance to replace Kyle and while they're pretty big boots to fill I'll do my best," said Kidd.

Thirteen players have been named in an experienced line-up for the four-day clash with Afghanistan in Sri Lanka.

George Dockrell, a 17-year-old Leinster left-arm spinner, and Paul Stirling will join up with the squad following the conclusion of the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand.

Intercontinental Cup versus Afghanistan (23-26 January, Dambullah, Sri Lanka)

William Porterfield (captain, Gloucestershire), Andre Botha (Notts County), Peter Connell (North Down), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), Phil Eaglestone (Strabane), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Niall O'Brien (Northamptonshire), Nigel Jones (Civil Service North), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).

T20 Quadrangular Series in Sri Lanka and ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in UAE

William Porterfield (capt, Gloucestershire), Andre Botha (North County), Peter Connell (North Down), Alex Cusack (Clontarf), George Dockrell (Leinster), Trent Johnston (Railway Union), Gary Kidd (Waringstown), John Mooney (North County), Kevin O'Brien (Railway Union), Niall O'Brien (Northamptonshire), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Paul Stirling (Middlesex), Andrew White (Instonians), Gary Wilson (Surrey).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version