Cricket:Ireland all-rounder Andre Botha has been ruled out of tomorrow's RSA Challenge One-Day International against Australia in Clontarf with a suspected stress fracture to his back.
The North County player is believed to have picked up the injury playing for Ireland ‘A’ against a Sussex second eleven last week and is ruled out for six weeks.
It’s a big blow to Phil Simmons, with Botha’s medium pace bowling sure to have been a vital part of the Ireland coach’s strategy in restricting the World champions’ batsmen.
Wicketkeeper Niall O’Brien has been passed fit to play despite ongoing problems with his left index finger and Simmons confirmed he will take the gloves for tomorrow’s game, which is a 4,500 sell-out.
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