IRELAND bowler Tim Murtagh's World Cup dream ended yesterday when he was ruled out with a foot fracture.

The Middlesex bowler underwent surgery in the UK last week but medics say he had no chance of recovering in time to play any major part in the tournament.

"It's a hammer blow to miss a World Cup with a broken foot but that's the way it goes in sport I guess”, Murtagh said last night.

“Best of luck to the boys and I will be watching."

The Hills' paceman Max Sorensen has been called in to replace him. The 29-year-old has played eight ODIs and taken 12 wickets.

Cricket Ireland says the fracture happened during training in Dubai last week, but the ICC Technical Committee said in a statement that he was “suffering from a stress fracture in his right foot”.

Coach Phil Simmons said “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.

“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.”

Simmons continued: “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 8th.”