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Niall O'Brien in action for Ireland against Canada last year ©INPHO/Cathal Noonan
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Howzat: Niall O'Brien cashes in after BPL auction

Ireland’s wicket-keeper is in line for €62K pay day. But that could affect Ireland’s World Cup chances.

NIALL O’BRIEN CAUSED quite the stir when he went up for the pre-season auction ahead of the inaugural Bangladesh Premier League T20 season.

The Dubliner had his base price of €39,000 overshot massively and the winning bid of €62,000 eventually came from Khulna Royal Bengals.

In the BPL all of the money bid will go to the player. O’Brien had been included in the auction as one of eight representatives from ‘Associate’ nations with each of the six teams required to sign at least one.

The competition will last only three weeks from 9 February. However, Ireland must now decide whether or not to select the 30-year-old for the forthcoming tour to Kenya.

Ireland will play World Cup qualifiers against the African side on 18 and 20 February and O’Brien has offered to make the trip to Mombasa, but Ireland coach, Phil Simmons, may prefer to select players who commit to the full tour.

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