Friday 5 February 2016 12:08, UK
Chaminda Vaas has joined Ireland's backroom staff ahead of the ICC World Twenty20 tournament.
The former Sri Lanka seamer has been recruited as a bowling consultant and will join up with the Irish next month on a short tour of the United Arab Emirates.
Vaas, who has previously coached New Zealand and his own national team, will then travel to India with Ireland for the sixth edition of the tournament.
"I'm very excited to be joining the backroom staff of the Ireland team," said Vaas, whose figures of 8-19 against Zimbabwe in 2001 remain the best in one-day internationals. "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 retired with 755 international wickets across all forms of cricket, and Ireland coach John Bracewell said: "It's great to have Chaminda with us through the build up as well as during the T20 World Cup.
"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."
Ireland play two T20s against UAE next month and face Bangladesh, Oman and Netherlands in the group stage of the World Twenty20 in March.
