He answered an SOS call from Ireland coach Phil Simmons after New Zealand overseas player Jesse Ryder failed to turn up at The Brit Oval. Ireland were due to face Surrey, a game which was later washed out.Simmons said, " I received a text message that he had missed his flight, and have heard nothing since. I don't know what the real position is until I speak to his agent, but he should have been here. It's not acceptable to me, and I don't think he'll play for Ireland again."
"I haven't ruled out bringing in someone else for the final two games against Middlesex and Glamorgan on June 10 and 13, as we have a budget already in place for those games. Ideally someone based in England would be our preferred option."
"It'll give me a chance to take a look at Gary, whom I've heard good reports about. It's an opportunity for him to impress me, and I know he's a player who Adrian Birrell had a high opinion of."
Kidd has one cap for Ireland, playing against the MCC in 2004 at Limavady. He was a named reserve in Ireland's World Cup squad, but didn't feature. He has played successfully in two Under 19 World Cups for Ireland in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, and also played for Ireland 'A' in the EurAsia Series in Abu Dhabi.
Kidd said of his unexpected call up, "It came out of the blue. I was told to get to the Oval as fast as I could, and I didn't hesitate. I'm playing with the MCC Young Cricketers at the minute, and bowled quite well against Northants 2nd XI last week. I took 2-60 in 21 overs, and felt that the ball was coming out well. Hopefully I'll get an opportunity to show Phil (Simmons) what I'm capable of."
