He gambled everything on the move and looked out of the frame at one stage until a few injuries opened up the opportunity in the recent One-Day Series against the Australians and full credit to the big Bready man because he bowled himself into the squad with several stirring performances. Congratulations and good luck on the tour.
Boyd will need all the luck he can get as this tour promises to be hostile and grinding. The Aussies are simmering after their defeat this summer when a few decisions and a few breaks didn't go their way. There was also the Stuart Broad controversy and it doesn't take too much the wind up their aggression, especially on home territory.
Rankin's inclusion vindicated his move to the Mother Country and fulfils a cricket ambition he has openly held for a long time. And who could fault him for seizing the opening to play at the highest level in a sports career that is all too short? He certainly benefitted from the declared strategy of the selectors to go for a pace attack that is tall and fast, and the indifferent form and fitness of his main contenders raised his profile at the crucial time. However, at the end of the day it was his personal performances in the key matches that won him selection. Ironically these matches included the win over Ireland, but most, if not all, Irish cricket followers will wish him best wishes 'down under.'
Unlike Ed Joyce who was in a similar position a few years ago, Boyd seems certain to get his chance in the test matches. Although 29 he is at the peak of his career and if he can avoid injury he has the size and the pace to make the most of the fast Australian pitches. His presence will also create considerable Irish interest over the winter because many Irish cricket followers still have an affinity for England at Test level, and let's be frank, it is hard to like the arrogant Aussies, David Warner et all!
But will the Bready man's defection and selection have a knock-on effect on other Irish players? Realistically none of the current squad is near England test standard, but Paul Stirling might be an outside bet to be lured into the T20 set-up. Certainly if reports that Eoin Morgan has been encouraging him along those lines are true. But in fairness, like most Ireland players, Paul has probably formulated his stance long since.
England have much to gain if Ireland stays within the Associate Country ranks as more and more of our younger players are now playing in county set-ups and therein lies the justification for England selection. Some pundits feel the ECB invests heavily in its county set-up and more and more Ireland players are being groomed and fine-tuned at their expense. And surely they are entitled to pick the best apples on the tree?
Controversial stuff perhaps, but until the ICC gets its act together on nationality and eligibility issues England will continue to cream 'defections' from Associate Countries and their well-trodden nursery in South Africa!
In the meantime let's give Boyd Rankin our best wishes as he may be wearing the England shirt, but he's as Irish as any of us.
Clarence Hiles
Editor
