Boyd Rankin has decided to retire from representative cricket after 18 years with Ireland and the North West Warriors.

The Bready man is hoping to bow out at the ground where it all started for him, as the Warriors take on the Northern Knights in Magheramson.

Boyd Rankin dismisses Michael Vaughan

The paceman was on the books of Middlesex, but moved to Derbyshire where he made his county debut.

He enjoyed his greatest success with Warwickshire where he won a County Championship and T20 medals with good friend and Ireland colleague William Porterfield.

'Big Boyd' made his Ireland debut in 2003 in same game as Eoin Morgan and went on to win 153 caps, taking 229 wickets, which puts him 8th on the all-time Ireland aggregate list.

Rankin played in both the 2007 and 2011 World Cups, taking 12 wickets in the 2007 tournament including Ed Joyce who was playing for England at the time.

Bye Bye Boyd

The Tyrone man switched allegiance to England in 2013 and was included on the Ashes Tour to Australia where he played in One Test in 2014.

He came back to Ireland in 2016 playing in the T20 World Cup in India, and was also in the team as Ireland played their maiden Test in 2018 versus Pakistan. He was also in the Test side at Lords in 2019.

Following the end of his county career, he moved back to Northern Ireland, joining Lisburn where his brother Robert plays, and he will continue to play for the Wallace Park side.

Boyd and David Rankin

His other brother David has also played for Ireland and is part of the  current Warriors coaching set-up, while sister Jemma has played in the Super Series. His father Bob is also a stalwart of the Bready club.

“To retire from international cricket is always a tough call, but I feel now is the right time to step away," said Rankin.

"I have put my heart and soul into playing cricket professionally since 2003 and have loved every minute of it. 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.

"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 something I am very grateful for. 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 wasn’t 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.

“There are many people to thank for helping me on this journey, firstly my parents for introducing me to the game and taking me to practice and games as a kid growing up, and for supporting me throughout my career. Also to my partner Anna who has helped and supported me for the last part of my career.

"There are various coaches that have helped me along the way - Brían O'Rourke in my younger years with Ireland underage teams, Mike Hendrick during my time at Derbyshire and Ireland helped me in my early years to become the bowler I became, Adi Birrell for giving me the opportunity during the 2007 World Cup, as well as Phil Simmons, John Bracewell and Graham Ford over my Ireland career.

"Ashley Giles, Dougie Brown, Allan Donald and Graeme Welch also had a massive influence on me at Warwickshire, and I thank them for all their help and guidance. It’s hard to single out individual coaches but all those guys all deserve a mention.

"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.

“Finally, thank you for the support from everyone involved in Irish cricket - the support has been amazing over the years and to see all the supporters in the stands cheering the boys in green on during games all around the world has been our 12th Man! I hope cricket in Ireland continues to grow and I wish Fordy, Andy and the players well for the future."

Graham Ford, Head Coach of the men’s international side, said: “Unfortunately Father Time catches up with all cricketers. Sadly it is now Boyd’s time, but he can be so proud of his brilliant career and all of what he has achieved in the game. During my involvement with Cricket Ireland, he has been an ultimate professional, shown great courage while bowling through body niggles and put in many high impact performances. I sincerely wish him a highly successful and exciting next life chapter.”

Gary Wilson, Head Coach of the North West Warriors and long-term international teammate, added: “I had the pleasure of playing with Boyd for a number of years. He was a great man to have on your team – certainly, better to have him with you than playing against you, as we found out a couple of times when he went to play for England.

"He deserves all the plaudits he is going to get from the cricket community right across the world, and I’d just like to congratulate him on what has been a fantastic career. It’s been a career which he should be very proud of, and one which every Irish cricket fan should be proud of him for.

“I hope we haven’t seen the last of him in North West Warriors colours, hopefully he’ll be able to help the boys as and when his time allows it, but for now he should just enjoy retirement with the family, get the feet up and enjoy a rest.”

Thanks for the memories Boydo.