Niall O'Brien (cricketer)

Niall O'Brien

Personal information
Full name	Niall John O'Brien
Born	(1981-11-08) 8 November 1981 (age 35) Dublin, Ireland
Nickname	Paddy
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Batting style	Left handed
Role	Batsman, Wicketkeeper
Relations	Brendan O'Brien (father) Kevin O'Brien (brother)
International information
National side	Ireland (2005–present)
ODI debut (cap 13)	5 August 2006 v Scotland
Last ODI	14 May 2017 v New Zealand
T20I debut (cap 7)	2 August 2008 v Scotland
Last T20I	13 March 2016 v Netherlands
Domestic team information
Years	Team
2004–2006	Kent
2007–2012	Northamptonshire
2012	Khulna Royal Bengals
2013–2016	Leicestershire (squad no. 10)
2017–present	North West Warriors
Career statistics
Competition ODI T20I FC LA Matches 85 30 169 215 Runs scored 2,235 466 8,550 5,176 Batting average 30.20 17.92 35.18 30.80 100s/50s 1/15 0/1 14/45 4/31 Top score 109 50 182 121 Balls bowled – – 18 – Wickets – – 2 – Bowling average – – 9.50 – 5 wickets in innings – – 0 – 10 wickets in match n/a n/a 0 n/a Best bowling – – 1/4 – Catches/stumpings 62/9 17/10 476/48 174/38
Source: CricketArchive, 14 May 2017

Niall John O'Brien (born 8 November 1981) is an Irish cricketer. He is a left-handed batsman and wicket-keeper. Domestically O'Brien began his professional career with Kent in 2004 before joining Northamptonshire at the start of 2007, spending 6 seasons there before joining Leicestershire for 2013.

He made his One Day International debut for Ireland in 2006; two years later he played his first Twenty20 International. O'Brien has also played in overseas twenty20 leagues, first the Indian Cricket League in 2008 and then the Bangladesh Premier League on its formation in 2012. His brother, Kevin, plays alongside him in the Ireland team while his father, Brendan, played cricket for Ireland from 1966 to 1981

O'Brien was educated in Marian College, Ballsbridge. His brother Kevin is also a member of the Ireland team. Their father Brendan played 52 times for Ireland. His sister Ciara O'Brien is in the Ireland women's hockey team.

Niall first gained recognition playing domestic cricket in Leinster for the Railway Union Cricket Club earning a call up to the Ireland A team. From there he established himself as Ireland's number one wicketkeeper. O'Brien himself has said that he has a fiery temperament. On 17 June 2004, he angered Brian Lara when Lara refused to walk after being apparently caught behind. Ireland caused an upset when they went on to win the match, with O'Brien scoring 58* off 57 balls. In 2006 he was banned for one ICC Intercontinental Cup match after an outburst criticising the groundsman at an Intercontinental Cup game with Scotland because of condition of the pitch.