John Bracewell bids to bring back Rankin

New Ireland head coach John Bracewell will seek a meeting with Boyd Rankin in a bid to persuade the England fast bowler to play for Ireland again.

Derry-born Rankin represented Ireland in the 2007 and 2011 World Cups before declaring for England in August 2012. However, the 30-year-old has failed to secure a regular Three Lions starting place, making just one Test appearance for his adopted country, in the Ashes whitewash of 2013-14.

Rankin, who has been nursing a back injury, was omitted from the England squad to face Ireland in the Royal London ODI at Malahide tomorrow.

The Warwickshire bowler still harbours England ambitions but Bracewell says he hopes to tempt him back with the opportunity of leading the Ireland bowling attack again.

“I will be going to meet him and [Warwickshire director of cricket] Dougie Brown,” the former New Zealand coach told the Irish Examiner.

“In the very near future, I will go and visit him face to face. I am going to sit down with every Irish player currently in the English game, and with their coaches, and work out what is in the interest of both parties.”

Rankin is the most recent high-profile Ireland international to declare for England, following in the footsteps of Ed Joyce and Eoin Morgan, although Joyce returned to play for Ireland in 2011 after representing England in the 2007 World Cup.

Under new ICC regulations, Rankin would be allowed to return to Ireland colours two years after his final England appearance. Rankin, who won his last England cap in January 2014, will therefore be eligible to play for Ireland from the start of 2016.

If Rankin can be persuaded to return, however, Ireland are likely to lobby the ICC to give the 6’8” pace bowler special dispensation to play in the Intercontinental Cup tie against Namibia, which is likely to take place in November.