London: Brett Lee became the latest former Australia cricketer to be handed a World Cup role with another side when it was revealed Thursday he would serve as Ireland's bowling coach in the lead-up to the tournament. Cricket Ireland's announcement that it had secured the recently retired fast bowler's services came hours after confirmation that former Australia batsman Mike Hussey had been drafted in by South Africa.


Mike Hussey 

Cricket Ireland said in a statement that Lee, 38, had signed a short-term deal to work with the side ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which starts on February 14. One of the fastest bowlers of his generation, Lee took 310 wickets in 76 Tests with his 221 one-day internationals yielding 380 wickets. Now Ireland coach Phil Simmons hopes Lee can pass on some of his experience as the minnows look to defeat a Test nation for the third successive World Cup.