Boyd Rankin showed just why England want him at the ICC World Twenty20 qualifier in Dubai yesterday. The 6'8" seamer from Co Derry demolished the USA in a brutal display of fast bowling force as he broke his personal best for the third day in a row.

Rankin, who has already toured with England A, has ambition to play test cricket but he showed yesterday just how much Ireland would miss him.

"This is the best I've ever seen him bowl," Ed Joyce told the Irish Daily Star. "He's really got control of his line and length here, which on these wickets is very difficult for a bowler of his height.

"He's a much more hostile bowler too. I'm delighted for him because he's a really good lad who's worked hard for years and now it's all coming to fruition."

Rankin was almost unplayable, taking 4-9 in his four overs as Ireland romped to a 53 run victory. He was far too quick for the American batsmen and his height ensures plenty more problems.

Ireland won the toss, but William Porterfield went early to a loose shot, and just as Paul Stirling looked to play a few shots he chased a wide ball and bottom edged to Steven Taylor. Alex Cusack tried to cut the next delivery from the left arm medium of Elmore Hutchinson and was bowled, leaving Ireland on 32 for 3.

Ed Joyce was delighted to be promoted to No.3 in the order.

"In twenty20 I aim to get ten off the first ten balls, and when I went from five to ten with five overthrows I felt like I was in. Kevin and myself bat well together - I can work it around and hit the odd boundary while he looks to hit a big ball. He twice hit sixes today to take the pressure off."

Neither has made a Twenty20 fifty for Ireland and both were close to the milestone when they fell.

O'Brien cleared the fence twice, off Khan and Mishra, but was undone by Abhimanyu Rajp. The spinner parried a straight drive and with the ball lobbing in the air he dived to complete a fine catch for 47. Two overs later Joyce also fell, for 46, to a much more straightforward return catch by Rajp.

Gary Wilson has batted well and hit four 4s before he carted Hutchinson straight to Ghous for 19.

A target of 150 was way beyond the Americans comfort zone, even on this compact ground.

Trent Johnston was struggling to find his length and was the most expensive of the Irish attack with his four overs going for 38. Rankin's second over was a double wicket maiden and when Baker carved Johnston to Dockrell running around a third man the scoreboard read 29-4.

Taylor was dropped off Johnston by Porterfield, and followed that up with a huge six. The Irish captain kept his big guns on and each picked up another wicket to end their joint-spells on 52 for 7.

The spinners picked up the baton and it was Andrew White who picked up two scalps as the Yanks were all out for 96.

Ireland go into Sunday's decisive game against Scotland in good heart.

"The Scottish game is massive", said Joyce, "it's always a big game for us and they've been playing good cricket too."

With ICC thoughtfully assigning the rest day to St Patrick's Day, the Irish will be celebrating the great national occasion while dreaming of a trip to Sri Lanka.