As England prepare to play their first warm up match against the ICC XI in Dubai in a couple of days time, the Irish International and the captain of the ICC squad, Boyd Rankin, made no secret of his ambition to play Test cricket for England.

by PakPassion staff

(5th January 2012)

As England prepare to play their first warm up match against the ICC XI in Dubai in a couple of days time, the Irish International and fast bowler, Boyd Rankin, made no secret of his ambition to play Test cricket for England.

As things stand, he will not be the first one to make that choice as an Irishman – in the past, Eoin Morgan and Ed Joyce have both made the jump to allow them a chance to play the highest grade of cricket.

In remarks to the press at the grounds of ICCs Global Cricket Academy (GCA), Rankin touched on his ambition for playing Test Cricket for England in

“I want to put in a good performance and show what I can do to the [England] Coach and Captain. This should allow me to get to a stage where I can play Test Cricket for England”

“I would like to play at the highest level but unfortunately cannot play Test Cricket for Ireland. I want to be the best player I can be – the only way for me to play Test cricket is by playing for England”

At 27 years old, Rankin felt that time was not on his side and he set himself some short term targets to make an appearance in England colours.

“Sooner than later, as I am not getting any younger! The aim is to be playing for England in the next 12 months. Before that I have the England Lions tour of Bangladesh to make an impression as well as the county season. I am aware that there are a lot of fast bowlers [available for selection] and as long as I stay injury free, I have a chance. The England tour of South Africa at Christmas time is my goal”