Joyce’s Ashes call a huge boost for cricket in Ireland
Dublin-born Joyce played 50 times for Ireland before transferring to England. Yesterday, the Middlesex batsman was called to replace Marcus Trescothick, who was forced home ill.
Irish Cricket Union PRO Barry Chambers said: “This is a fantastic for Ed and for Irish cricket. To play in the Ashes is every player’s dream and this is a tremendous achievement.
“This is certain to increase our profile as Ed came up through our youth system from U15 up along and helped ensure our qualification for next year’s World Cup.”
Joyce also believes his promotion will kick-start interest in cricket in Ireland? “I hope so,” he told Sky Sports. “But cricket in Ireland is already on the up thanks to the national team qualifying for next year’s World Cup in the Caribbean. However, if this inspires anyone to watch or take the game up back home, then that’s great.”
Joyce played 50 times for Ireland, scoring 1637 runs at an average of 37.50. He scored two hundreds during the 2005 ICC Trophy against Bermuda and the UAE, which enabled Ireland to qualify for the 2007 World Cup. His last appearance in an Irish shirt saw him score 81 against Scotland in a losing cause.
Ironically, Joyce made his England debut versus Ireland at Stormont on June 13 2006, where, in a further quirk of fate, he was in direct opposition to his brother Dom. He has so far played the ODI’s and one Twenty game for his adopted country.
But Joyce, 28, claimed that 24 hours since being told of his promotion, he had yet to fully come to terms with his participation in “the biggest tour a cricketer can go on”. Until being elevated to the senior squad, Joyce was due to be spending five weeks with the England Academy in Perth.
“I found out yesterday when I was out buying a loaf of bread,” Joyce told ecb.co.uk.
“David Graveney, the chairman of selectors, left a message on my phone, but I thought it would just be one to all the Academy guys, saying ‘good luck’.
“But when I heard it, it was one of those moments when I just sat with my mouth open.
“I couldn’t believe it – I’m still in a bit of a daze actually – but hopefully when I get out there it will all have sunk in and I’ll be all right.”
Joyce left with the Academy last night, as planned, but instead of catching a connecting flight to Perth with what is effectively a standby squad, he was due to head to Adelaide to join the senior party.
He acknowledges that playing in Australia is the toughest test for any cricketer, but Joyce is confident he can cope with the step up in class.
“I didn’t really expect to get a call this soon and there are a few nerves there, but I’ve been playing cricket for a few years now so I’m used to it,” added Joyce, who made his one-day international debut for England during the summer. “It’s the Ashes – the biggest tour you can go on – and there’s nothing like it in terms of pressure.
“That pressure is compounded by the fact that we won the Ashes last year. The Aussies want them back, and if I can play a part in regaining them then I’ll be happy.
“I’m looking at it as being in the 16-man squad. I know I’m the back-up player but I’m approaching it as if I’m going to play.”
Joyce can also draw on his experience of playing alongside Australian Test players Justin Langer and Glenn McGrath, both of whom enjoyed spells as overseas players at Middlesex and are set to line up against England in the first Test, which starts in Brisbane on November 23.
“It helps that I know a few players,” he said. “I know Glenn and Justin from when they were at Middlesex, and I faced McGrath in the nets a few times when he was there.
“That probably humanises them a little bit, which can’t do any harm. Hopefully that means it won’t be a completely alien environment when I get to Australia.”
The left-hander made his England debut in June in a limited-overs match against Ireland — his country of birth — and played twice more in the shortened form of the game during the summer.
Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: “As we already have other players in the squad who have experience of opening the innings we have decided to choose a replacement who will be able to cover a number of different positions within the order. Ed is a highly promising player who has performed well for Middlesex this season and I am sure he will be delighted to be part of an Ashes squad.”
Joyce will join up with the Ashes squad in Adelaide on Friday.
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