Another key member of Ireland’s World Cup squad has called it a day - and although he never batted, bowled or fielded, the loss will be huge.

Iain Knox’s official title was team physio but in reality he was also the players’ psychologist, nutritionist, counsellor, agony uncle - and much more. At Leicester today and Northants tomorrow in the Friends Provident Trophy the players will be without the friend they call “Knoxy” for the first time in almost four years; a professional who as much as anyone has contributed to Ireland’s scaling of the heights.

The effervescent former Belfast Royal Academy pupil and Master of Physiotherapy at the University of Ulster is swapping his delicate skills to join the family car products company his grandfather started over 40 years ago under the name of Component Distributors Ltd.

Juggling Ireland’s hugely increased playing schedule with private practice - and planning marriage to his fiancé Ali next April - has prompted his decision.

Knox’s first sporting love was rugby, playing for Ulster and Ireland teams up to the age of 21 and working with the Academy, Ballynahinch and Instonians clubs as well as the BRA and RBAI school sides.

Now he admits to “an addiction to cricket”, an interest at school but nurtured by former national coach Adrian Birrell who appointed Knox to his squad back in the autumn of 2004.

Birrell wanted not only a physio but a “strength and conditioning” coach who could also help with training drills and in Knox he found just the man.

It was the start of an exhilarating journey - and close friendship - that was to help take Ireland to the ecstasy of wins over Pakistan and Bangladesh in the World Cup in the West Indies last year.

“Adi was an inspiration”, reflects Knox. “He always talked about ‘one percenters’, doing things one per cent different and better than other teams.

“I was blessed to have the World Cup experience. We were all full time, 100 per cent professional in the four months leading up to and during the World Cup. It allowed me to experiment with different training techniques and the players did everything that was asked of them. The 15 players gave energy, enthusiasm and determination and to a man they deserved the success they achieved. It’s been a part of my life I’ll never forget.”

The man who was never a door or two away from a phone call for help - whether from victims of food poisoning in Kenya or from a down-in-the-dumps player out of form - has forged friendships that will last for years.

Knox’s love of Irish cricket is such that he wants to stay involved “in some way or other”.

“I will never be further than a phone call away if anyone thinks I can add anything to the well being of the game in Ireland”, he says.

It will be surprising if the phone doesn’t ring some fine day.