Boyd Rankin all set to make history with Ireland's Test debut

Ireland announced 14-member squad for the one-off Test against Pakistan.

Boyd Rankin played only Test for England | Getty Images

Ireland's fast bowler Boyd Rankin might etch his name into the record books, as he can become the 15th ever and the first cricketer since Kepler Wessels 25 years ago to play Test cricket for two nations –England and Ireland, if he gets selected for the historic Test against Pakistan.

Wessels represented Australia in 24 Tests and 54 One Day Internationals between 1982 and 1985. He later represented South Africa for whom he played 16 Tests and 55 ODIs.

Ireland are all set to make their Test debut against Pakistan at Dublin on Friday (11 May), and there are high chances that the experienced pacer Rankin might be selected in the Playing XI.

In his early cricketing career, the 33-year-old has played White-ball cricket for Ireland, and later he moved on his native land –England in 2012. He also got chance to play in the prestigious Ashes series, selected for the fifth Test in 2013-14 Ashes series and took one wicket for England.

He also played limited-overs internationals for England. But, Boyd failed to put his feet in England and returned to Ireland in 2016 with just one Test cap to his name with the three lions.

However, the six-foot-eight-inch fast bowler has been named in the 14-men Irish squad against Pakistan, but now time will tell whether Rankin can make history or not.

Ireland’s first-ever Test squad against Pakistan:

William Porterfield (captain), Andrew Balbirnie, Ed Joyce, Tyrone Kane, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O'Brien, Niall O'Brien, Boyd Rankin, Nathan Smith, Paul Stirling, James Shannon, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson.

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 09 May, 2018

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