Return to Ireland
Ireland approached Rankin for a recall to their squad in the summer of 2015 but he chose to wait to be absolutely certain that he had no chances of making a comeback for the Three Lions. When he was ignored for the senior team and the Performance Programme fast bowlers’ camp, his mind was made up.
He approached Cricket Ireland in December 2015 and finalised his commitment to start playing cricket for his native country again. Cricket Ireland Performance Director Richard Holdsworth was visibly happy and said, "It's fantastic news for Irish cricket to have a bowler of his undoubted quality back in the fold.
"We've had a number of retirements in recent times, losing quality and proven performers such as Trent Johnston and John Mooney. That has severely depleted our quick bowling stocks so to have Boyd returning gives everyone a tremendous boost.
"His height and the extra bounce he generates makes him such a difficult proposition for opponents, and it gives skipper William Porterfield a fantastic extra option in his armoury.”
Rankin himself seemed to be extremely delighted, as he 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.”
Ever since making his comeback for Ireland, Rankin has been in great form. From the two T20I matches he played against the UAE, he has come away with figures of 2-16 and 3-17. Ireland will be putting their hopes on him in the forthcoming ICC World T20 tournament in India.
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