Ireland’s Rankin out to test his old team

BOYD RANKIN will be doing everything possible to take as many England wickets as he can at Lord’s this week – a far cry from his objective in 2014.

The last time Rankin sent down a ball during a Test match involving England he took the wicket of Peter Siddle in Sydney, putting a little gloss on a difficult few days. The 35-yearold still looks back on his solitary Test for England with fondness despite it coming in the final defeat during a 5-0 Ashes whitewash Down Under.

Rankin went into that match with a shoulder injury and failed to do himself justice, finding subsequent chances limited before reverting back to Ireland in 2015.

The fast bowler, left, is now back at the top table with Ireland and promises to provide some happier Test memories for his family, even though his England cap will still have pride of place on his wall alongside his Irish cap when he is retired.

He said: “At that stage there were no real opportunities to play Test cricket for Ireland.

“That has changed now but at that time I wanted to play at the highest level and that was the only way I could do it. I hurt my shoulder a few days before the Test and I wasn’t fully fit going into the game, but I felt I had to give it a go.

“In hindsight I shouldn’t have played but when you get an opportunity to play Test cricket it is one you want to take.

“And someone reminded me I took a wicket with my last ball in Test cricket, so I hope I can get a few more this week in what is a dream come true.”