Ireland lose Porterfield to county call

The rumbling debate over club v country priorities resurfaced when Ireland's captain William Porterfield was forced to withdraw from their squad for this weekend's Friends Provident Trophy match against Worcestershire because he was wanted at short notice by Gloucestershire, where he is a contracted player.

Porterfield was told on Friday afternoon that he was needed as cover for Craig Spearman, who had reported a minor niggle in his hip, for Sunday's match.

What is worse for Ireland is that if he plays in the game, it will automatically rule him out of the remainder of Ireland's Friends Provident Trophy campaign.

There was some good news for Ireland when Gary Wilson was released by Surrey to appear in the match.