Big concerns for John Bracewell

In his first press conference as the new Irish cricket coach in April, John Bracewell admitted he had coveted the job long before Phil Simmons left for the West Indies.

Three months into the job, and the 57-year-old must be left wondering whether he should have cashed in his pension early to enjoy the easy life back in native New Zealand instead.

After 11 trophies in eight years under Simmons, the Irish team have stumbled through to next March’s World Twenty20 in India after a miserable qualifying campaign on home soil.