The Irishman followed up a typically lively and vocal display behind the stumps by scoring 75 with the bat as he and centurion Stephen Peters put on 179 for the first wicket.

It was a stand that took the Steelbacks to within a whisker of victory.
And it was a personal and team display that delighted O'Brien – even if he was finally out caught by his brother Kevin.

"It was my highest domestic score and it was really nice to get it against Ireland," he said.

"A lot of them are good friends of mine. I've played against them before for Kent. But we trounced them that day and I didn't get chance to bat.

"So it was nice to get in this time and get a few runs against them.

"I feel in good shape. The last couple of months I feel I've been playing better than I ever have in my life.

"I've got a few starts this season. But it was good to take this one on. My aim now is to get a hundred in the game against Cardiff.

"I would have liked to be there at the end but I just didn't get hold of the shot.

"When I saw it was going to my brother I knew I was out because he doesn't drop too many.

"The main thing was to get a win. We've got a lot of big games coming up. In fact they are all big games.

"We have to win as many as we can and then, hopefully, we can get through."

The wicketkeeper would also like to push for a spot as an opener.

He was promoted to the number two position and grabbed the chance with both hands.

Now he hopes for more opportunities to cement his place there.

He added: "It's good to get the chance to bat up the order.

"I did it once last year (in the Pro40 game against Essex) and got 40-odd so it was great to get back up there.

"I always opened the batting as a junior. I played for six years for Ireland at number four – which I enjoyed.

"But over here I've tended to bat down the order.

"I always want to be batting up there – especially after having kept wicket.

"You know how the wicket is going to play having fielded first.

"Hopefully, the chance will come again and I can take it."


Full report and more reaction in today's Evening Telegraph.