Ireland and England pacer Boyd Rankin retires from international cricket

Rankin is one of 15 players to have represented two nations at the international level.

Boyd Rankin played for both Ireland and England | Getty

Boyd Rankin, who one of 15 players to have represented two nations at the international level in all three formats, has called time on his cricketing career. 

The pacer debuted for Ireland in 2003 and then later went on to play for England in an Ashes Test in 2014. 

Talking about his retirement Boyd Rankin said that retiring from international cricket is a tough call but it is the right time for him to step away. He added that playing for Ireland was special for him. 

"To retire from international cricket is always a tough call, but 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,” Boyd Rankin said in a statement. 

Boyd Rankin rues his disastrous maiden Test outing for England

The 36-year-old cited his 11-year stint with Warwickshire county, playing World Cup twice and T20 blast in 2014 significant achievements in his career.

“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," he said. 

Boyd Rankin further stated that making the Test debut for England was very special and he will miss playing alongside the players. 

“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," he concluded. 

Boyd Rankin went back to play for Ireland after they got the Test status in 2017. In all, he played three Tests, 75 ODIs and 50 T20s and also had a successful stint in the English County Championship while playing for Warwickshire for close to 11 years. 

(PTI Inputs)

 
 

By Ankitjit Singh - 22 May, 2021

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