Big Boyd made his debut for England in this week’s T20 international against New Zealand and has effectively ended his Ireland career because a four year-qualification will apply should he re-consider. By that stage he will have moved into this thirties and unlikely to be the terror he is at present.
North-West stalwart Bob claims Cricket Ireland never made an ‘official’ offer of a contract to Boyd yet according to reports Cricket Ireland claims National Coach Phil Simmons and Performance Director Richard Holdsworth offered terms last summer, but they weren’t in the same league as what might be on offer from the England camp. And understandably so as Cricket Ireland has not got the resources to compete on player’s contracts so the outcome was a forgone conclusion as soon as the Warwickshire and Bready man made it a financial matter. Much has been said about the player’s ambition to play test cricket and this is commendable given his talent, but the cricket element appears to have been second to the financial consideration if his father’s comments are to be understood. After all, if you are proud to be Irish and want to represent your country you can’t do that in an England shirt.
There is little doubt Rankin has been cajoled by several people in the England camp, but his involvement with the England Lions over the past two years was a clear sign that his ambitions lay elsewhere and could not be satisfied within the Irish set-up. A similar dilemma faced Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan several years ago and they donned the England shirt and it would be naïve to think some of our best players are not thinking likewise should the offer come along. Life is about choices and you can’t fault a sportsperson with a short career from trying to maximise their income during that time. Boyd has been a fine player for Ireland, but he wants to make the most of his ability and to play at the highest level and there may be an opportunity via T20 to make the test squad for this summer’s Ashes Series. But let’s not be fooled, the money is just as important when it comes down to wheeling and dealing.
Rankin’s exit contrasts with Ulster Rugby flanker Stephen Ferris’s decision to stay within the Ireland set-up and decline a lucrative offer from Japan. Both are of similar age and ability in their respective sports, and ironically, both have suffered more than their fair share of injuries in recent times. Ferris has the option to move later, but in the crazy world of cricket Rankin has only one bite of the cherry and if it doesn’t work out then he has four years to wait to win back his Ireland status. Given his age that seems unlikely.
The solution to Cricket Ireland’s dilemma is painfully obvious if the game’s governing body the ICC took the matter seriously. After all, you are born or inherit nationality so how can you earn it through residence or qualification? The door should be firmly closed as only England benefits. And what true South African or Irishman can feel any pride in pulling on the England shirt to play against the country of his birth?
That said, we all wish Boyd Rankin good fortune in his career and we’ll be rooting for him if he wins selection against the Aussies.
Time to move on?
Or is it?
Clarence Hiles
Editor
