Ireland call up Max Sorensen to replace injured Tim Murtagh

Pace bowler Max Sorensen was a notable omission from the original Ireland World Cup squad

Ireland have called up Max Sorensen to replace Tim Murtagh in their 15-man squad for the forthcoming World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Middlesex paceman Murtagh suffered a stress fracture to his right foot during training in Dubai earlier this month and had surgery in the UK.

Sorensen was drafted in after it became clear that the 33-year-old would not be fit for the start of the tournament.

Sorensen, 29, had been the most notable omission from the original Irish squad.

His inclusion in place of Murtagh has been approved by the International Cricket Council's event technical committee.

"It is heart-breaking news for Tim so close to the World Cup and the squad and all the staff at Cricket Ireland are thinking of him," Irish head coach Phil Simmons said.

"We are lucky that Max has been out here in Dubai with us as part of a group of fast bowlers and is well placed to join the squad straight away."

The foot injury ruled Murtagh out of Ireland's Tri-Series against Afghanistan and Scotland, which is currently taking place in Dubai.

The Irish squad will return home after their four one-day internationals, then depart for Australia at the end of January for a training camp and a fixture against Sydney-based club Randwick Petersham.

The Irish stay in Sydney for official warm-up matches against Scotland and Bangladesh before flying to New Zealand for their World Cup opener in Hamilton.

Ireland have been drawn in Pool B of the World Cup, alongside South Africa, India, Pakistan, West Indies, Zimbabwe and the UAE.

They play the West Indies in their first match in Nelson on 16 February.