Irish batsman Ed Joyce retires from county cricket

When we are making a list of players who played for two different countries, this player’s name comes into mind. Ed Joyce played for England in ICC World Cup 2007. But in the ICC World Cup 2007 Qualifiers, he had performed exceptionally well for his country Ireland. Seeing the talent of this left-handed top order batsman, England drafted the player into their team.

But he never quite got his tempo right while playing for the Three Lions. Soon, he faced the axe and had to return to his nation. He might not have performed well for English national team but has been doing well in the English county cricket circuit over the year. He scored a beautiful double-ton for Middlesex which was his career best at that time. The match was against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

In the year 2008, he left Middlesex and joined Sussex. He became the captain of Sussex in 2012, succeeding the then captain Michael Yardy. He resigned from the responsibilities of the captaincy after Sussex had a dismal season in 2015 and English batsman Luke Wright became the new captain. In 2016, he struck a wonderful 250 against Derbyshire which remains his career best till date.

He desperately wanted to play a test for England, as it was not possible while playing for Ireland. But that opportunity never came his way. In ODIs, he has a wonderful average of over 35 runs. Scoring over 2000 runs in 72 matches, he has been a pillar for the Irish batting lineup over the years. In First-Class cricket, his average is just a little less than 50 and in T20, he has an average of over 30.

Ed Joyce retires from county cricket

The 38-year old veteran left-handed batsman has decided to retire from county cricket so as to concentrate on playing for the Irish side. The official twitter handle of Sussex County Cricket Club (SCCC) wrote “BREAKING NEWS: Ed Joyce has decided to retire from county cricket, in order to concentrate on playing for Ireland  #GOSBTS”. After Sussex’s tweet, Luke Wright congratulated him on all his achievements. He wrote “Congrats Ed Joyce on all your achievements. One of the best I’ve ever been lucky to play with. Amazing player even better bloke. #legend”.

? BREAKING NEWS: @edjoyce24 has decided to retire from county cricket, in order to concentrate on playing for @Irelandcricket ?#GOSBTS pic.twitter.com/dvuJ8HISjf

— Sussex CCC (@SussexCCC) May 24, 2017

@SussexCCC @edjoyce24 @Irelandcricket Congrats @edjoyce24 on all your achievements. One of the best I've ever been lucky to play with. Amazing player even better bloke. #legend

— Luke Wright (@lukewright204) May 24, 2017