Australian Craig McDermott is new Ireland bowling coach

McDermott is Australia's fifth-highest Test wicket taker

Former Australia paceman Craig McDermott has been named as Ireland's new bowling coach and consultant.

McDermott is to join up immediately with the Irish squad at their pre-World Twenty20 training camp after they flew out to Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

The 47-year-old quit as Australia's fast bowling coach in May despite being credited as a major reason behind the recent improvement of their quicks.

His appointment will be regarded as a significant coup for Cricket Ireland.

Ashes winner and former Queensland paceman McDermott is his country's fifth-highest Test wicket taker, having claimed 291 scalps in 71 Tests.

He replaced Troy Cooley as Australia's bowling coach in May 2011.

The Irish are in the same group as the Australians at the World Twenty20, which begins on 18 September.

"Ireland have done well in the past World Cups and I am sure they will do again at this one," said McDermott.

"They have a well balanced squad and I am looking forward to getting stuck into preparing them for the World T20 in our training camp in Colombo.

"I see this as another opportunity for me to work with another international team and to further my coaching career."

Cricket Ireland performance director David Holdsworth revealed the International Cricket Council had helped finance the move.

"Craig's enthusiasm, experience and knowledge will add further strength to our coach support staff and we thank the ICC high-performance programme for their financial support towards achieving this," said Holdsworth.

"Having recently been bowling coach to the Australian team, his insights into their players will help the team prepare for our match against them on 19 September."

McDermott's son Alister won a first call-up for Australia's current tour of the United Arab Emirates.