Ireland World Cup hero Kevin O'Brien has signed a deal that will take him to Gloucester for the rest of the 2011 season. The Railway all-rounder has also confirmed he will participate in the Sri Lankan T20 tournament later in the summer.
O'Brien could play for his new team as early as Sunday 15th May as he joins up with the squad later this week. ''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," said O'Brien.
This will be the second time the Dubliner makes a foray into English county cricket. O'Brien played for Nottinghamshire in 2009, but failed to make enough of an impression to earn a second season.
"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," he said.
“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 said, “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.”
On his deal to play in the Sri Lankan competition, O’Brien said: “I’m still not 100 per cent 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.”