London: New Zealand's John Bracewell has been appointed Ireland's new head coach, Cricket Ireland announced on Wednesday. The former Black Caps player and coach succeeds Phil Simmons, now in charge of the West Indies, and has signed a contract until 2017, subject to work permit approval.

Bracewell, 57, will watch Ireland's one-day game against a weakened England team in Dublin on Friday and believes he can help the associate nation realise their ambition of securing Test status by 2019. "There is nothing I enjoy more than fighting for a cause, and in cricket terms there is none better than obtaining Test status," said Bracewell in a Cricket Ireland press release.