Dublin: Ireland have pulled off a major coup with the signing of former Australia paceman Craig McDermott as their new bowling coach and consultant.

McDermott held a similar role with Australia until earlier this year and links up with the Irish squad at a pre-World Twenty20 Cup training camp in Sri Lanka.

McDermott's decision to quit after a year as Australia's bowling coach in May was a major blow for the Aussies as he had been cited as the main reason for the recent improvement of their pacemen.

The 47-year-old will now face his home country as Ireland have been drawn in the same group as the Australians at the World Twenty20, which begins on September 18.