World Cup hero O'Brien joins Gloucestershire

Ireland World Cup sensation Kevin O'Brien has joined Gloucestershire for the rest of the season, the English county announced Tuesday.

In March, O'Brien scored the fastest-ever World Cup century, reaching the landmark in just 50 balls against England in Bangalore to set up a thrilling group stage win for Ireland over their old rivals.

The 27-year-old all-rounder, who has previously played for Nottinghamshire, joins a growing list of Ireland players at county sides with his brother Niall at Northamptonshire, Ireland captain William Porterfield and Boyd Rankin both at Warwickshire and teenage spinner George Dockrell on Somerset's staff.

An excited Kevin O'Brien said in a statement: "I am looking forward to getting over there and hopefully helping the team to achieve its goals in all forms of the game, but especially t20 and one-day cricket.

"Hopefully I can have a great season, help Gloucestershire win trophies and improve my game even further."

Gloucestershire director of cricket John Bracewell said: "We are delighted to have signed Kevin O'Brien to our squad with particular reference to his one day skills.

"Given his heroics in the World Cup the Gladiators have a genuine lion slayer in their midst," the former New Zealand off-spinner and coach added.

O'Brien can also look forward to the prospect of playing in Sri Lanka's Twenty20 tournament later this year.

"I'm still not 100 percent who I'll be playing for in Sri Lanka, although I have been told that (Sri Lanka's) Sanath Jayasuria will be the team's captain, and that Darren Bravo (West Indies) and Lonwabo Tsotosbe (South Africa) will also be on the team.

"It's going to be a magnificent experience, and hopefully I'll acquit myself well in what's sure to be a terrific tournament."