Newly-capped Ireland international Jacob Mulder has rejoined CIYMS from North Down.

The Australian-born leg-spinner, who made his debut for Ireland against Hong Kong in Monday’s Twenty20 international, has spent the last two summers at Comber.

However, the Western Australian informed the North Down hierarchy before he went home to Perth this week that he is returning to Belmont for the 2017 season.

Mulder is now qualified as a local so will not be considered one of CI’s two overseas players next season.

The news is a big blow for North Down because Mulder’s game has improved significantly since his switch to The Green.

He took 39 wickets in the 2015 season to finish as the second top wicket-taker in the Premier League although he was less effective this summer, with 19 wickets.

His batting developed though and he scored more than 350 runs at an average of 22 to be classed as an all-rounder.