CRICKET:Irish wicketkeeper Niall O'Brien has joined English county side Northants on a one-year deal, reports Richard Gillis.

O'Brien was released by Kent at the end of the 2006 season, where he had enjoyed a regular place in the team, until Geraint Jones was axed from the Test side, forcing O'Brien into the second XI.

The left-handed O'Brien is in South Africa training with the Ireland team ahead of both the World Cricket League and the World Cup.

O'Brien has been signed as cover for Riki Wessels, and Northants head coach David Capel said O'Brien was chosen "after much consideration and deliberation".

He has a healthy average of just under 30 in his first class career, while in an Irish shirt he averages a superb 49.56.

Northants have also signed left-arm seamer David Lucas, who has had spells with Nottinghamshire and Yorkshire.