Ireland pacer Boyd Rankin announced his retirement from international and inter-provincial cricket on Friday, drawing curtains to an illustrious 18-year-long professional career. Interestingly, he is one of only 15 players in cricket history to represent two countries in Test cricket.
Ranking, 36, made his international debut for Ireland in 2007 at the age of 22. He went on to play 153 times for Ireland between 2003 and 2020 in two stints (2007-12, 2016-20). He also represented England during a three-year period and made his Test debut during the 2014 Ashes.
“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,” Rankin said in a statement, as per Cricket Ireland.
Boyd Rankin also had a successful 15-year career in English county cricket playing with several sides, but most notably an 11-year stint at the Warwickshire County Cricket Club (2008-18).
“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,” he further stated.
“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 it was something I am very grateful for,” he added.
Rankin hangs his boots after scalping 229 wickets for Ireland, the eighth-highest Irish wicket-taker at the international level. For the records, he claimed the first-ever wicket for Ireland in men’s Test cricket at Malahide against Pakistan in 2018.
“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 was not 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.
“My best memories and achievements that stick out for me would be the World Cup wins – in 2007 World Cup beating Pakistan and Bangladesh to put Irish cricket on the world map, and the 2011 win against England. Being part of the team to play Ireland’s first men’s Test match was a special moment, as well as taking Ireland’s first Test wicket,” Rankin recalled.