Irish bat gone missing

Bangalore police confident of locating cricket bats belonging to Ireland's World Cup batsman Niall O'Brien

Police in Bangalore say they are confident of returning six bats belonging to Niall O'Brien after they went missing during Ireland's five-wicket loss to India on Monday morning

The left-hander, whose brother Kevin was the hero in Ireland's win against England, reported the bats as missing when they failed to arrive at Ireland's hotel with the rest of the team's equipment after the match.

O'Brien travelled back to the M Chinnaswamy Stadiumto check for the bats before he reported it to police.

"The case is being investigated and we hope to trace the bag soon," said a Bangalore police spokesman.

The missing bats is an unwelcomed distraction for Ireland ahead of Friday's crucial match with West Indies in Chandigarh.