Jesse Ryder will strengthen the Ireland top order and also provide a useful bowling option © Getty Images

Ireland have signed Jesse Ryder, a 22-year-old New Zealand allrounder, as their second overseas player. Ryder, who plays for Wellington, has been with New Brighton in the Liverpool League.

He has a solid first-class record with 2344 runs at 44.88, which has been enough to earn him a New Zealand A place, and bowls brisk medium pace. He is seen as an ideal replacement for Andre Botha, who picked up a finger injury against Somerset on Sunday.

"Jesse is a quality player, and one that I've heard glowing reports about," said coach Phil Simmons. "He is a fine striker of the ball, and will bat at number three in our line up. He's an exciting talent, who just missed out on selection for the New Zealand World Cup squad."

Ryder joins South African paceman Nantie Hayward in the Ireland side for the Friends Provident Trophy. Roger Whelan, a right-handed batsman and seam bowler, replaces John Mooney, who is unavailable due to work commitments.

Ireland squad for Gloucestershire and Essex Trent Johnston (capt), Jeremy Bray, Kenny Carroll, Peter Gillespie, Nantie Hayward, David Langford-Smith, Kyle McCallan, Kevin O' Brien, William Porterfield, Jesse Ryder, Andrew White, Roger Whelan, Gary Wilson