Sport

Kevin O’Brien signs for Leicestershire

All-rounder will link up with older brother Niall at Grace Road

Kevin O’Brien has signed for Leicestershire joining his older brother Niall. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Kevin O’Brien has signed for Leicestershire joining his older brother Niall. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Tue Mar 31 2015 - 14:17

Leicestershire have swelled their ranks for the NatWest T20 Blast with the signing of Ireland’s big-hitting all-rounder Kevin O’Brien.

O'Brien played all six matches in his country's recent World Cup campaign, but is still best known for his exploits in the 2011 tournament, when he thumped what remains the fastest century in the history of the competition to propel Ireland to a famous win over England.

The 31-year-old, who will link up with older brother and fellow Ireland international Niall at Grace Road, is available for nine of the Foxes' 14 T20 fixtures.

Along with overseas signings Grant Elliott and Clint McKay, O'Brien will add some valuable experience to Leicestershire's line-up, having played 90 one-day internationals and 37 Twenty20 internationals.

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He is well travelled on the county circuit, having had spells at Gloucestershire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset and Surrey, while he has also played in the Bangladesh Premier League and Caribbean Premier League.

Leicestershire chief executive Wasim Khan said: "It is great to have Kevin as part of our NatWest T20 Blast team in 2015.

"Kevin adds further international experience to a line-up that includes his brother Niall, Grant Elliott, Mark Cosgrove, Clint McKay and Rob Taylor, and we look forward to seeing him in action at Grace Road."