Porterfield attracts Gloucester interest

Gloucestershire have signalled their interest in signing William Porterfield, the young Ireland opening batsman, for the coming season.

Porterfield, 22, who is currently in the Caribbean for the World Cup, has been in useful form in the past few months. A pair of hundreds in the World Cricket League, followed by 84 in Ireland's final match, has stabilised Ireland's top-order. He has been less prolific in the World Cup, showing just a glimpse of form in his 31 against England last week, but enough to attract interest from Gloucestershire.

"He is someone we'd love to get over and have a look at," Tom Richardson, the club's chief executive told BBC Sport, "but it's quite early days."

With Ed Joyce paving the way, a number of Ireland's promising prospects have crossed the Irish Sea in the past 12 months. Niall O'Brien, the wicketkeeper, has left Kent for Northamptonshire; Boyd Rankin, their 6ft 8ins fast bowler, has a contract with Derbyshire and Eoin Morgan, considered by many as Ireland's most gifted batsman since Joyce, plays for Middlesex.