McDermott joins Ireland staff for World T20

Craig McDermott, the former Australia fast bowler, has been appointed Ireland's bowling coach for the World Twenty20, beginning later this month. He will join the team for the pre-tournament training camp in Colombo ahead of the tournament in Sri Lanka.

McDermott, who earlier this year quit as Australia's bowling coach for personal reasons, called the assignment an "exciting opportunity" that would help his coaching career. His most recent assignment was with the Australia team at the Under-19 World Cup held last month.

"I am looking forward to working with Phil [Simmons] and his team at the World T20 in Sri Lanka," McDermott said. "They have a well balance squad and I am looking forward to getting stuck into preparing them for the World T20 in our training camp in Colombo."

The announcement was made by Ireland Cricket chief executive, Warren Deutrom, during a farewell function before the team's departure for Sri Lanka. "Coach Phil Simmons and Cricket Ireland Performance director Richard Holdsworth were keen on the appointment of Craig McDermott and since he was available, we have managed to secure his services for a limited time, that is for the World T20 and the build up before that," Deutrom told ESPNcricinfo.

"The funding for the appointment emanated from the ICC high performance program, which has provided the two associates (Ireland and Afghanistan) playing in the World T20s with financial support," he said.

Holdsworth said he was delighted to have brought McDermott on board Ireland's coaching set-up. "He is vastly experienced both as a top class player and more recently specialist bowling coach," Holdsworth said. "Having recently been bowling coach to the Australian team, his insights into their players will help the team prepare for our match against them on September 19."