Kevin O’Brien has agreed a move to Munster Reds for the upcoming domestic season as he bids to revive his international career after being controversially omitted from Ireland’s squad for next month’s T20 World Cup qualifiers in Oman.

The 37-year-old has played for Leinster Lightning since the formation of the new domestic structure in 2013 but a change of scene and a new challenge at the Mardyke could be just what’s needed for the big-hitting batter.

The vacancy left by O’Brien’s departure will be filled by Harry Tector moving back to Lightning after a spell with the Northern Knights while Greg Ford, the son of former Ireland coach Graham, is another Dublin-bound from Munster.

Ireland will start their bid to qualify for the 2022 edition of the T20 World Cup on February 18, with a group match against the United Arab Emirates in Muscat, followed by clashes with minnows Bahrain and Germany.

The Boys in Green should have no trouble reaching the semi-finals but then face a do-or-die clash, probably against Nepal or Oman, for a place in the tournament proper, which is scheduled for the autumn in Australia.

“Our T20 results haven’t been where we’ve wanted them in recent times, so we want to rectify that in this World Cup year,” skipper Andy Balbirnie said. “We’re keen to put in the consistent performances that warrant us being at the top table.”

Meanwhile, Ireland will be assured of a Top 10 finish in the U19 World Cup and an automatic place in the next tournament if they beat Zimbabwe in today’s Plate semi-final in Trinidad.

“The message to the squad going into the game is to believe, first and foremost,” coach Pete Johnston said. “We played a series against Zimbabwe a few weeks back in Barbados and we won the last game comfortably.

“We have to carry that forward, just like we carry forward the win against Canada on Tuesday, so we go into the game with confidence – we know they’re a good side and we’ll have to play our best cricket to reach the final.”