Sorensen ruled out of tour

Pace bowler Max Sorensen has been ruled out of Ireland's pre-World Cup trip to Australia and New Zealand while Paul Stirling, the Middlesex batsman, will not travel with the squad due to a back problem that requires further investigation.

Scans have revealed that Sorensen, 28, suffered a fractured right wrist in the one-day series against Scotland and will be out of action for six to eight weeks. Graeme McCarter, the Gloucestershire seamer, who was unfortunate to miss out on the original squad has been named as the replacement and now has a chance to make a late bid for a World Cup spot.

Phil Simmons, the Ireland coach, said: "It's obviously bitterly disappointing for Max to miss out on the tour which is so vital to our World Cup preparations, but it gives Graeme a great chance to impress after he just missed out on the initial selection."

Stirling, meanwhile, is causing concern after not responding as well as was expected to treatment on his back after being ruled out of the County Championship match against Somerset. He will not be replaced in the squad which is therefore reduced to 17.

"We'll know more about his prognosis when he sees the specialist, but felt it best that he recuperates in the UK before making a final decision on his involvement on the tour," Simmons said.

Ireland leave for the tour, which includes eight matches across Australia and New Zealand starting on the Gold Coast in Queensland, next Tuesday.