Former English cricketer and present Ireland cricketer Ed Joyce has announced the retirement from all forms of cricket. Recently, the left-handed opening batsman made his Test debut during Ireland’s historic first-ever Test match.
The 39-year-old is one of the special cricketers who represented two different members in the international cricket. He has played total 78 ODIs and 18 T20Is where he scored 2,622 runs and 405 runs respectively.
Joyce made his international cricket debut in 2006 for England and played till 2007 where he had played total 19 international matches (17 ODIs and 2 T20Is). Later, the left-handed batsman made his international cricket debut for Ireland in 2011 and played total 78 games (1 Test, 61 ODIs and 16 T20Is) before announcing his final retirement.
Also read: AB de Villiers Retires From All Forms of International Cricket
Recently, Ireland’s first ever Test match was the maiden Test match for Joyce. It was the match against Pakistan at Dublin where Ireland showed some brilliant cricket but ultimately Pakistan claimed a 5-wicket victory. Joyce scored 4 and 43 runs in that Test match.
Now, Joyce will work as a batting coach and will also oversee leadership development in the Irish performance system.
Speaking on his retirement, Joyce said, “I feel now is the right time to stop playing and get started on a new chapter. The recent Test match against Pakistan was such an incredible few days and was the perfect game for me to say was my last in professional cricket.
“I am very grateful to Cricket Ireland for giving me the opportunity to get involved in the coaching set-up. I know I have a huge amount to learn about the art of coaching, but I know I also have a huge amount of knowledge that I’m determined to pass on to the next generation of Irish talent.”
Joyce played 255 first-class matches, 311 List A games and 91 T20 games where he scored total 30,181 runs.
Ireland cricket team captain William Porterfield presented a big statement to describe Joyce’s remarkable cricketing career.
Porterfield said on that, “It is pretty hard to sum up in just a few words how much of an impact Ed has had on Irish cricket and how much of an all-round great person he is. He is the person, from my era, that showed that being a professional cricketer was a tangible dream across the water. He inspired a whole generation to show that it is possible.
“He is someone that I have always looked up to and to have had the opportunity to play with him for the past few years has been an absolute privilege. He will be a great miss in the changing rooms, not only for his runs but the person he is. A lot of us, not least the young lads, have learned so much from him.
“He has had such an amazing career that he can be so proud of over the past 20 or so years. For it to culminate in taking the field for Ireland’s first ever Test match was the icing on the cake, I’m sure. He has seen the transition from a completely amateur organisation into being a full member and professional.
“I would like to thank him for everything he has ever done for me and Cricket Ireland. I wish him all the best in his next chapter and I’m sure I will look to draw on his knowledge as we continue to move forward.”
