Boyd Rankin eager for an Ireland return

The 31-year-old pacer, who gave up his Ireland career after the 2012 World Twenty20 to pursue his ambition of playing Test cricket for England. He has not featured for the Three Lions since January 2014 and has reluctantly revealed that he is unlikely to get another opportunity. Boyd Rankin has confirmed his return to Irish cricket.

The Bready-born fast bowler met last week with Cricket Ireland to seal the deal which will see him available for Ireland’s upcoming ICC Intercontinental Cup clash with Papua New Guinea in Australia. He will also feature in the ICC World Twenty20 in India in March.

Ireland can get Test status now: Rankin

In an interview, the 6’8” tall pacer said, “I’m delighted to be returning to Irish cricket, where I was born and learned the game. I’ll always be grateful to England for the chance to play Test cricket, but with little opportunities in the last two years, I felt it was time to move on at this stage of my career.

“There’s a real opportunity for Ireland to get Test status now, and that prospect was a real lure for me, I’d love to be part of history. Before that, of course, there’s a T20 World Cup in India.

“I’ve played in three before with Ireland and it’d be great to make it four. I’ve also very happy memories of both the 2007 and 2011 50-over World Cups in the West Indies and India, and I’d like to make it a hat-trick of appearances in 2019 in England.”

Cricket Ireland performance director Richard Holdsworth was evidently delighted to have Boyd back in the Irish set up. He said, “It’s fantastic news for Irish cricket to have a bowler of his undoubted quality back in the fold.”

During the 2007 World Cup in India, the 31-year-old became Ireland’s leading wicket-taker of the tournament with 12 wickets.

Rankin appeared for England only 11 times between 2013 and 2014, playing in one Test match against Australia in the 2013/14 Ashes series, three T20 internationals and seven ODIs.

His last appearance for England came on January 17^th, 2014. Under the current ICC regulations, he is eligible to play for Ireland again on January 18^th, 2016.

Ireland have been drawn in Group A along with The Netherlands, Oman, and Bangladesh in Round One of the ICC World Twenty20 which is scheduled to be held in India from 8 March to 3 April. If they win the group they will proceed to the Super Ten phase where they will play India, Pakistan, New Zealand and Australia.