Ireland take on Ryder

Ireland fan © Getty Images

Ireland have signed New Zealand A batsman Jesse Ryder as a second overseas player for their Friends Provident Trophy campaign.

The 22-year-old Wellington left-hander has been playing club cricket for New Brighton in Liverpool.

Ryder, who has a first-class average of 44.88 from 36 games and also bowls medium pace, replaces the injured Andre Botha in the squad to face Gloucestershire tomorrow and Essex on Sunday.

He joins former South Africa paceman Nantie Hayward as one of the team’s two permitted overseas players.

Botha misses the games in Dublin with a finger injury while Roger Whelan takes the place of John Mooney, who has work commitments.

Coach Phil Simmons said: “Jesse is a quality player, and one that I've heard glowing reports about.

“He is a fine striker of the ball, and will bat at number three in our line-up. He's an exciting talent, who just missed out on selection for the New Zealand World Cup squad.”