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Ireland coach Graham Ford to miss Afghanistan series after freak injury

Graham Ford will miss Ireland's series against Afghanistan Getty Images

Ireland head coach Graham Ford will miss his side's upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan in India after a "slip accident" at his home in Dublin led to a fractured vertebrae and three broken ribs.

Ford had to travel home from the Ireland Wolves (the 'A' side) tour of South Africa last week, after a Durban doctor told him he would be unable to participate in physical training with the squad.

Rob Cassell, who will leave the coaching staff to take up a bowling coach position with Rajasthan Royals immediately after the tour, will be acting head coach for the series, while another coach will be added to the staff in the interim.

Cricket Ireland also confirmed that it will "continue to monitor the situation" with regards to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak. The board said it was "concurrently taking advice from government, health and sporting bodies," and that "while a duty of care approach to players' health will be maintained, there is currently no advisory against travelling to northern India".

The series starts on March 6, with all three games being played in Greater Noida.