Rankin believes he is on the right track to becoming England’s next bowling sensation
After having ended his career with Ireland at the conclusion of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last September, Boyd Rankin, from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is hoping to represent England in Test cricket.
Standing at 6ft 7in, Rankin is just one of many lanky pace bowlers England have used throughout the history of the game.
Steve Harmison, Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn were all picked for their height and aggressive bowling nature, both qualities which also apply to the 28-year-old Rankin.
“I’ve always said I’d love to play Test cricket,” Rankin told ESPNcricinfo. “I retired from Ireland to try and concentrate a bit more on Warwickshire. It got to the stage where I was playing all year round with Ireland, Warwickshire and England Lions and I wasn’t getting a lot of rest and I was picking up a few injuries on the way so I thought the best way to go was to stop playing for Ireland and concentrate on county cricket and see from there.
“I think I bring something different with my height and my size, there’s not many guys around that can offer that and I think I’ve got a chance that way.”
Rankin’d record with Ireland is nothing to be ashamed of, as he picked up 43 wickets in 37 ODIs at an average of 32.34 and 17 wickets in 15 Twenty20 Internationals at an excellent average of 21.41.
However, the lanky seamer will have to prove that his skills with the red ball are just as good if he is to have any chance of being selected to play for England.
His recent spells at Warwickshire have been outstanding, especially in 2011, when he took 55 first-class wickets at an average of 25.80, which earned him a spot on the England Lions squad that summer.
During the England Lions’ tour of Bangladesh, Rankin sustained a foot injury which kept him out of half of the domestic season last year, but he still managed to snap up 16 wickets at an average of 32.18 upon his return.
However, his foot problems arose once again after Christmas, forcing him to miss the Lions’ tour to Australia, and instead stay in Birmingham, where he worked with Warwickshire bowling coach Graeme Welch.
“He’s been great with all the bowlers since he’s been here,” Rankin said. “I did quite a lot of work with him up until I picked up this injury. I was changing a few things with my action and that was going really well. I’m looking forward to getting that going again. He’s worked wonders with the likes of Keith Barker and Chris Wright.”
Welch was in the running to become Warwickshire’s new director of cricket after former England left-arm spinner Ashley Giles left to become the national team’s limited overs coach, but was beaten by Giles’ former assistant Dougie Brown.
Rankin noted that he was disappointed to see Giles go since he had been one of the former left-arm spinner’s first signings, but added that he does not have any problems with Brown taking charge.
“It’s been a very smooth transition over,” Rankin said. “The squad is in a good place at the moment. It’s just a matter of continuing on the work that was done with Ashley. Dougie is his own man and there have been quite a few things already set in place.
“With the injury, I haven’t really been involved as much as I would have liked to but obviously Dougie loves the club and wants the best for every player. But the things are pretty settled and it’s been pretty straightforward for him.”