Gloucestershire Sign Ireland Star Kevin O'Brien

Gloucestershire Sign Ireland Star Kevin O'Brien

Ireland's World Cup hero Kevin O'Brien has signed for Gloucestershire for the rest of the county season

©REUTERS/Philip Brown (INDIA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Gloucestershire have announced the signing of Ireland's World Cup hero Kevin O'Brien for the rest of the English domestic season.

O'Brien, who has played 58 One-Day Internationals for his country, and enjoyed a spell with Nottinghamshire, starred in the 2011 World Cup when he blasted a 50-ball century to guide Ireland to a three-wicket win over England in a group game in Bangalore.

He is expected to join up with the squad and be available for their Clydesdale Bank 40 clash with Glamorgan on Sunday (15th May).

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to play for Gloucestershire, and work under one of the most successful coaches in domestic one day history," O'Brien told the club's official website (www.gloscricket.com).

"I am looking forward to getting over there and hopefully helping the team to achieve its goals in all forms of the game, but especially t20 and one day cricket.

"Hopefully I can have a great season, help Gloucestershire win trophies and improve my game even further. It is going to be an honour to play with Murali, and hopefully I can learn from guys who have performed so consistently in domestic cricket for many years."

GCCC Director of Cricket, John Bracewell added: "We are delighted to have signed Kevin O’Brien to our squad with particular reference to his one day skills. Given his heroics in the World Cup the Gladiators have a genuine lion slayer in their midst."

O'Brien has also confirmed he will be playing in the new Sri Lankan Twenty20 Premier League, adding:

"I’m still not 100% who I’ll be playing for in Sri Lanka, although I have been told that Sanath Jayasuria will be the team’s captain, and that Darren Bravo and Lonwabo Tsotosbe will also be on the team.

"The opportunity actually came through Phil Simmons, who forwarded me an e-mail a while back, and subsequently Somerset Entertainment Ventures (SEV) approached me. It’s going to be a magnificent experience, and hopefully I’ll acquit myself well in what’s sure to be a terrific tournament."

© Cricket World 2011