Boyd Rankin
Boyd Rankin. Twitter.

Ireland’s fast bowler Boyd Rankin has become the second player to play for as well as against England. Rankin became the first-ever player after Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi to play for the English and against the England team. The right-arm pacer had a good spell against his former team as he scalped two wickets and conceded only five runs in the three overs he bowled.

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Boyd Rankin joined the ranks of Billy Murdoch, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi and Kepler Wessels to have represented two countries in Test cricket. In fact, Boyd Rankin is now the only player to play for two countries in all the three forms of the game. Boyd Rankin had made his debut in the England colours in the Ashes Test match of the 2014 series.

Boyd Rankin Becomes Second Player To Play For And Against England After Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi
Ireland celebrates a wicket. Credit: Getty Images

Ireland has put their noses in front.

Ireland was able to stun England as the Irish team was able to skittle out of the England team for a paltry score of 85 runs. Tim Murtagh was the chief destroyer of the England innings as the Ireland medium-pacer took five wickets and gave away 13 runs in his nine overs.

Ireland was right on the money after England skipper Joe Root won the toss and decided to bat first on the green top. England soon had their backs against the wall as they were tottering at 43-7 inside 15 overs. Sam Curran knock of 18 runs and Olly Stone’s 19 runs were able to help England get to 85 runs.

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Ireland vs England
Tim Murtagh. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, right-arm fast-medium Mark Adair scalped three wickets for the visitors. On the other hand, Ireland has lost the wicket of their captain William Porterfield after having 33 runs on the board.

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Thus, it is a golden opportunity for Ireland to put their noses in front in the ongoing one-off four day Test match. This is Ireland’s third Test match and they have surely put the World Champions on the backfoot.

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