Dubai: There is a kind of satisfaction in Boyd Rankin's voice when he speaks about his love for the game. Having played four World Cups (two 50-over and two T20) for his nation, the lanky 6 ft 8 in Ireland bowler is thrilled with what he has achieved till date.
"It's surreal where I'm at the moment. I have played in the last four World Cups and playing cricket full time now, I really can't ask anything for more at the moment," said Rankin, who was part of the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI in the warm-up match against England at the ICC Global Cricket Academy grounds, which England won by three wickets.
"I'm really getting to travel and I have been enjoying my cricket. Hopefully it will keep going like this for the next few years," he added.
Rankin had his fair share of success scalping three wickets during the three-day match. "It was a pretty good three days of cricket, but it was bad to lose. We did not have [Hamid] Hassan. It could have been a different story had he played. He is good with the older ball as well."
"Overall it was a very enjoyable game to play and nice to compete against the No 1 side in the world."
A day to remember
Rankin's greatest moment came in the 2007 World Cup when Ireland scored a shocking three-wicket win over Pakistan which eventually resulted in the latter's early exit.
The Irish bowler bagged three important wickets of Younus Khan, Kamran Akmal and Azhar Mahmoud which saw Pakistan being bundled out for a modest 132.
"It's always going to be special for me. We were playing such a big tournament and it was a bit of a shock to play against the best sides in the world. But I took my time to settle down and then my confidence grew. Overall I was happy with my performance in the World Cup."
Rankin grew up playing rugby and was a promising player during his childhood but it was his love for cricket that turned the tide when it was time for him to decide. "I enjoyed my rugby at school. But when I was 17 or 18 and I had to make my decision I decided to play cricket full-time because that was always what I wanted to do," he said.
"My dad played for a local club so we are a cricket-mad family. My brothers and sister also play cricket," added Rankin.
The pacer also relished the moment of meeting Australian great Glenn McGrath and West Indies quickie Courtney Walsh who provided insights on fast bowling.
"I was lucky enough to like play with McGrath at Middlesex in 2005 and I met Walsh at the World Cup in West Indies. It's nice to meet those sort of guys and get their opinion on the game. I have learnt a few things from them."
