Ireland boost as Joyce cleared to play

ED JOYCE has been given special dispensation to represent his native Ireland in the 2011 World Cup, the International Cricket Council (ICC) last night confirmed.

While there is good news with the confirmation of Joyce’s return, the ICC declined the request from Cricket Ireland to have New Zealand-born Irish passport holder Hamish Marshall cleared to also take part in the tournament, which starts next February, meaning he won’t be eligible to play for his adopted country until the start of next April.

But Ireland have a huge boost with the return of Joyce. In 2005, the Dubliner qualified to play for England by virtue of his residency there and he made his debut for England in 2006 against Ireland in a one day international. He has slipped out of the reckoning in recent years, however, despite some impressive performances for his club Sussex.

Speaking from India where he is on a pre-World Cup training camp with Ireland, Joyce said: “It’s obviously tremendous news. Playing for Ireland again is something I’ve given a lot of thought to over the last few years and to be given the opportunity to do so, a little earlier than expected and on the biggest stage, is absolutely fantastic. Having seen the talent and work ethic of the squad over the last week or so in India, I feel Ireland will, once again, make a huge impact at the World Cup and I look forward to hopefully offering a lot to the team in the tournament and the whole of 2011.”

Joyce, 32, has played for Ireland 50 times, the last of which was the 2005 ICC Trophy final at Clontarf. He has scored 1,637 runs at an average of 37.20, placing him in third place in the all-time averages, just above Eoin Morgan in fourth slot.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons said of the decision: “It’s a huge boost to have Ed available for the World Cup, adding to the selectors’ headaches in an already strong squad – but that’s a nice problem to have. Of course, it would have been fantastic to have both Ed and Hamish available, but it’s not to be. I’ve seen first hand over the past 10 days here in Pune just what hard working and talented players both are. Their dedication and professionalism is evident for all to see, and everyone has responded positively to them being with us. I feel very sorry for Hamish, but this squad will be at other big tournaments – of that I’m certain.”

Cricket Ireland Chief Executive Warren Deutrom said: “Cricket Ireland is delighted to welcome back Ed to the fold again, and we are sure he will make a massive contribution to the squad. We regret that Hamish has missed out on this occasion, but we have no doubt he will play a huge part in future World Cups and we are looking forward to him taking the field against England at the RSA Challenge ODI next August in Dublin.”

An ICC spokesperson said: “Ed was granted permission for his four-year standout period to be slightly reduced so that he could compete in the CWC 2011. This was done on the basis of exceptional circumstances and the unique facts of his specific case, which included his Irish background and his very strong ties to Irish cricket from childhood up to senior national representation.”