Boyd Rankin calls it quits from international cricket

Onecricket

Lanky speedster Boyd Rankin, who represented Ireland and England in international cricket, announced his retirement from the game. Rankin was part of Ireland playing XI during their inaugural Test match against Pakistan. He is among those 15 players in Test history to have represented two countries. 

The 6’8’' speedster made his international debut for Ireland during the 2007 World Cup where they registered a historic victory against Pakistan. Rankin’s career was separated by a three year period where he played for England having made his Test debut in an Ashes Test in 2014. 

Rankin, known to extract steep bounce from any pitch due to his stature, ends his career with 229 wickets to his name at an impressive average of 23.39. He can also swing the ball both ways and will definitely finish his career as the best fast bowler to have emerged from Ireland. He finishes his career as the eighth highest Irish wicket-taker at the international level.

Rankin who started his professional cricket career way back in 2003 had a successful time in the county circuit as well. Having spent 11 years with Warwickshire, Rankin felt that it was the right time to step away from the game. 

“I feel now is the right time to step away. I have put my heart and soul into playing cricket professionally since 2003 and have loved every minute of it. I never dreamt I would play for Ireland as much as I did and to travel the world playing in numerous World Cups and to pull on the Irish jersey is something I will never forget," said Rankin.

“To have also a long career in county cricket especially during my 11-year stint with Warwickshire where we won the County Championship, 50-over competition twice and the T20 Blast in 2014 was very special and something I am very grateful for," Rankin added.

The dream of most cricketers is to play Test cricket and Rankin was no different. When he was at his peak, Ireland was yet to become a Test team so he had to change his base and went onto make his Test debut for England in an Ashes Test. 

“I always strived to be the best player I could be and to play at the highest level possible, so to make my Test debut for England during a time when Ireland wasn’t a Test-playing nation was a very proud moment. I will miss all the guys I played alongside the most and enjoying the wins we had along the way,” Rankin said. 

Playing their first World Cup in 2007, Ireland managed to script history when they defeated Pakistan in the group stage to qualify for the next stage of the competition. Rankin rated the victories against Pakistan and Bangladesh in the 2007 World Cup as one of his most memorable achievements. 

“My best memories and achievements that stick out for me would be the World Cup wins - in 2007 World Cup beating Pakistan and Bangladesh to put Irish cricket on the world map, and the 2011 win against England. Being part of the team to play Ireland’s first men’s Test match was a special moment, as well as taking Ireland’s first Test wicket,” Rankin concluded.

 

 

 

 

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