Chaminda Vaas to assist Ireland in World T20 2016

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Dublin, Jan 21: Former Sri Lanka bowler Chaminda Vaas is to help Ireland prepare for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in India as a consultant bowling coach, Cricket Ireland announced today.

The 41-year-old will link up with Ireland next month and remain with the squad until the end of the tournament, which runs from March 8 to April 3.

"I'm very excited to be joining the backroom staff of the Ireland team," Vaas said in a Cricket Ireland press release.

"There's a lot of talent and experience in the squad which I'm confident I can add to."

Left-armer Vaas took a total of 755 wickets in his 111 Tests and 322 one-day internationals and boasts the best figures by any bowler in limited-overs internationals - 8-19 against Zimbabwe in December 2001.

Since retiring he has worked as a bowling consultant for New Zealand and Sri Lanka, as well as coaching in the Indian Premier League.

"It's great to have Chaminda with us through the build-up as well as during the T20 World Cup," said Ireland head coach John Bracewell.

"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 will face Bangladesh, Oman and The Netherlands in the first round of the ICC World Twenty20.

AFP