25-year-old Warwickshire paceman Boyd Rankin is a man on a mission. He believes he has the necessary fire power to trouble England’s top order when Ireland clash with England later this month in the RSA Challenge One Day International at Stormont.
The Bready-born speedster will have to do well to better his exploits the last time the two sides met. He made a dramatic impact, removing Ed Joyce with his first delivery, and Michael Vaughan with his 14th, in the far flung fields of Georgetown, Guyana during the 2007 World Cup. Does he feel a repeat performance was on the cards?
‘I’m definitely bowling a lot better now than in recent years. I’ve sorted out a few technical issues with AD (Allan Donald), and have got a lot stronger, and fitter. I’ve added a yard of pace to my game, and when you add that to my height (Rankin is 6 feet 8 inches), then I’ve got the armoury to trouble batsmen.
‘I remember that Super Eight game in Guyana very well. It was a great feeling to knock back Ed’s off stump with my first ball, and to get Michael Vaughan shortly after gave me a great boost.’
Rankin is currently in the second year of a three year deal with Warwickshire, and is hopeful of securing an extension.
‘I’ve been injury free this season, and I’m playing regularly in the four day games. I’d like to be taking more wickets, but I’m happy with my rhythm.
‘As for the contract, there’s plenty of time for that, and if I keep bowling well, I’m sure there’ll be an extension somewhere down the line. I’m happy here, and things are going well.’
If, as expected, Rankin takes the new ball against England, it will amazingly be only the second time that he will have played a game in Northern Ireland.
Indeed, until the recent RSA ODI series against Kenya in Dublin, only one of his first 37 appearances in Ireland colours had come at home.
‘I’m a little surprised at that, but when you consider all my county commitments, and my injuries, it’s just the way things have panned out. I must admit I’m really looking forward to taking on the English in an ODI in Belfast. The atmosphere will be terrific I’m sure. The players are all talking about it, and there’s a genuine sense of belief and purpose in the camp. We have a chance of winning and won’t be going into the fixture with any inferiority complex.’
Asked if there was any particular scalp Rankin would like to take, he said: ‘Obviously, I have a few I’d like to claim. I don’t know the composition of their team yet, but Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook would be nice to get. Paul Collingwood batted really well against us in Guyana, and it was his knock which was the difference that day. It looks unlikely that Kevin Pietersen will play because of his injury, but Andrew Flintoff would be a great wicket to get.’
‘I’ve heard that the ticket sales have been really strong in recent weeks, and it’s well on the way to being a complete sell-out. The Blarney Army create a terrific carnival occasion wherever they go, and with the Barmy Army also out in force, I’m sure there will be plenty of support for both teams.’
Rankin has to date played 40 times for Ireland, taking a total of 67 wickets at an average of 22.16. His best figures of 5 for 39 came in the Intercontinental Cup against Namibia in 2008.
