Porterfield withdraws from Irish team

Ireland's preparations for their Friends Provident Trophy clash with Worcestershire at Stormont on Sunday have been dealt a severe blow by the late withdrawal of their talismanic skipper William Porterfield.

The 24-year-old left-hander is required by his county Gloucestershire for their clash with Surrey at Bristol.

Porterfield received the news on Friday afternoon that he was needed as cover for Craig Spearman, who had reported a minor niggle in his hip.

If Porterfield plays in the game, it will automatically rule him out of the remainder of Ireland's Friends Provident Trophy campaign.