Vaas to assist Ireland during World T20

Ireland have appointed Chaminda Vaas, the former Sri Lanka seamer, as their bowling consultant ahead of the World T20. Vaas will begin his short-term assignment during Ireland's visit to Abu Dhabi, where they will play two T20Is against UAE on February 14 and 16, and remain with the squad until the end of the World T20 in India.

"I'm very excited to be joining the backroom staff of the Ireland team," Vaas said. "There's a lot of talent and experience in the squad which I'm confident I can add to.

"I've played with and against some of the guys during my time in county cricket with Middlesex and Northants. I'm relishing the prospect of sharing the knowledge and experience I've picked up during my 20-plus years in the game."

Vaas, who picked up 355 wickets in Tests and 400 in ODIs, was New Zealand's bowling consultant on a short-term basis in 2012, and served as Sri Lanka's bowling coach from February 2013 to April 2015. "It's great to have Chaminda with us through the build-up as well as during the T20 World Cup," said John Bracewell, Ireland's head coach. "I have long been an admirer of his skills and like all the Sri Lankan cricketers of his era he was a great problem-solver.

"His ability to get wickets in all forms of the game especially on the sub-continent was extraordinary. This experience will be invaluable to our bowling group."