Former Ireland and England fast bowler Boyd Rankin has called time on his cricketing career 18 years after his debut for Ireland in international cricket. Derry-born Boyd Rankin played in 153 Ireland games in two stints between 2003 and 2020, either side of three years with England which included one Ashes Test.
The 6ft 7in Boyd Rankin also spent 15 years on the county cricket circuit playing for Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Essex and Middlesex teams over the years. He played 108 FC matches picking 352 wickets with a best of 6/55 at an average of 26.46. He picked 184 wickets in 140 List-A games with a best of 4/15 and 107 wickets in 97 T20 games with a best of 4/9.
Boyd Rankin for Ireland (Photo-Getty)
He represented Ireland in 2007, 2011 World Cups in a career plagued with injuries and inconsistency. He played a single Test for England in the 2013-14 Ashes and also played seven ODIs and a pair of T20s. The right-arm seamer has also called time on his inter-provincial career, which has seen him represent Warriors since 2018.
I Feel Now Is The Right Time To Step Away: Boyd Rankin
Boyd Rankin was part of the Ireland team which defeated England in an all-time great World Cup match in Bangalore in 2011. He picked 8 wickets in 3 Tests, 106 wickets in 75 ODIs, and 55 wickets in 50 T20Is for both Ireland and England.
“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 Ranking playing a Test for England in Ashes (Photo credit: Getty)
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,” Boyd Rankin was quoted by bbc.com.
The seamer played in Ireland’s first men’s Test match against Pakistan at Malahide in 2018 when he claimed his country’s first wicket, which he described as a “special moment”.
“My best memories and achievements that stick out for me would be the World Cup wins – in 2007 beating Pakistan and Bangladesh to put Irish cricket on the world map, and the 2011 win against England,” Boyd Rankin said.
Ending his international career will allow Rankin to return to the English county circuit – he has previously represented Derbyshire and Warwickshire – without being deemed an overseas player.
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