Sorensen replaces injured Murtagh in Ireland World Cup squad

LONDON: Max Sorensen has replaced injured Middlesex seamer Tim Murtagh in Ireland´s squad for the upcoming World Cup, team officials announced Sunday.

Murtagh suffered a foot fracture during an Ireland training camp in Dubai, where the squad are based ahead of the World Cup, on January 7 and underwent surgery in Britain the following week.

Medical advice said Murtagh would not be fit in time for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which starts on February 14, and the Irish management decided to call up 29-year-old Sorensen, also a right-arm seamer in his place.

Sorensen just missed out on selection for Ireland´s original 15-man World Cup squad but has been working with the senior side in Dubai, where the team are involved in a triangular warm-up series with fellow tournament qualifiers Afghanistan and Scotland.

"It is heart-breaking news for Tim so close to the World Cup and the squad and all staff at Cricket Ireland are thinking of him," said Ireland coach Phil Simmons in a Cricket Ireland statement issued from the organisation´s Dublin headquarters on Sunday.

"We are lucky that Max has been out here in Dubai with us as part of a group of fast-bowlers working with National Academy Manager Craig Hogan, and is well placed to join the squad straight away for what is a tough tournament ahead in Australia and New Zealand," former West Indies batsman Simmons explained.

He added: "We would like to thank the Middlesex medical team for their support.

"We wish Tim our very best and hope that he can get fully fit for the start of the county season and our ODI against England at Malahide on May 8."

Ireland chairman of selectors Alan Lewis said: "Obviously we all feel for Tim; it is the curse all sportsmen fear.

"I admired hugely the way Max took his bad news but I have even more respect for the way he reacted to it and now earned this spot in what is such a competitive area. We wish him all the best."

Ireland play their final match of the tri-series against Scotland in Dubai on Monday.

Revised Ireland World Cup squad: William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Peter Chase, Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Ed Joyce, Andrew McBrine, John Mooney, Kevin O´Brien, Niall O´Brien, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young. (AFP)