BRETT LEE TO AID IRELAND'S WORLD CUP PREPARATIONS

BRETT LEE will aid Ireland's World Cup preparations after agreeing a short-term deal with Cricket Ireland to act as their bowling coach during the warm-up period in Sydney.

The 38 year-old Australian cricket legend retired from all forms of cricket last month following the conclusion of the BBL final.

During a glittering career, Lee took 310 wickets in 76 Test matches, and in addition played 221 ODI's, claiming 380 scalps.

Ireland Head Coach Phil Simmons is hoping two times World Cup winner Lee can pass on some of his considerable experience to the Irish attack.

"Brett Lee has a wonderful knowledge of fast bowling, and his special insight of Australian pitches will help give our bowlers further confidence ahead of their group matches.

"I'm sure all our bowlers will benefit from the experience that a two-time World Cup winner has accumulated, especially in the pressure situations of a global event.

"It's a fanatstic opportunity for our bowlers to learn from a living legend and one I'm sure they'll all benefit from."

Ireland play Randwick Petersham in a 50 over friendly tomorrow (Friday) before official warm-up games against Scotland (Tuesday) and Bangladesh (Thursday).

Their first Group game is against the West Indies in Nelson on February 16th.