Boyd Rankin announces international retirement

Ireland fast bowler Boyd Rankin has announced international retirement. Rankin is one of 15 cricketers to play Test cricket for two teams. Rankin has played 153 matches for Ireland between 2003 and 2020. In between, during a three-year period, he also represented England, going on to make his Test debut for them in The Ashes Test in Sydney in 2014.

Rankin finishes as Ireland's eighth highest wicket-taker, having picked up 229 wickets at 23.39. 2018 and 2019 were two of his most productive seasons, in which 30 and 47 wickets respectively.  Rankin also picked up Ireland's first-ever Test wicket - in 2018 against Pakistan in Malahide. He also claimed three wickets against the same opponents in the 2007 World Cup in West Indies, a game Ireland won. 

#ThankYouBoyd pic.twitter.com/GrUnNw1Hpa

— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) May 21, 2021

The fast bowler also played in the County Championship for 15 years, most notably for Warwickshire, who he represented for 11 years.

Speaking of his journey, Rankin said, “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. 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." 

"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 added.

(With inputs from Cricket Ireland Media Release)

(Image Courtesy: Cricket Ireland)