Rankin Returns to Ireland Twenty20

Boyd Rankin and Tim Murtagh will lead the attack for Ireland at next month’s World Twenty20 after both were named in an experienced 15-man squad.

The paceman Rankin recently switched his allegiance back to Ireland after representing England since August 2012 and took six wickets in an ICC Intercontinental Cup win over Papua New Guinea last month.

Murtagh has reversed last May’s decision to retire from the shortest format of the game at international level and will be back on the biggest stage after missing last year’s World Cup with a foot injury.

William Porterfield will lead the side and he is one of five players playing in their fifth World Twenty20, alongside Kevin and Niall O’Brien, Paul Stirling and Gary Wilson.

“We are really looking forward to this World Cup, particularly with the return of Boyd Rankin,” said the Ireland chairman of selectors, Alan Lewis. “He gives our attack so much more balance and potency.

“As such a consistent performer, I am also delighted to see Tim Murtagh in the squad for an event like this, particularly as he missed the 2015 World Cup is such disappointing circumstances.

“These are the events that players want to excel in so hopefully with the lead time involved and the energy the team always shows, we can emerge out on top of the group in the first phase.”

Ireland will face Holland, Oman and Bangladesh in the group stage in India, with the winners advancing to the Super 10.

“Everyone has been given a real boost by the return of Boyd Rankin and Tim Murtagh’s rethink on retirement in this format,” said the head coach, John Bracewell.

“Porty [Porterfield] has plenty of options with the ball as so many of the squad are genuine all-rounders.

“It’s another great chance for the squad to showcase Irish cricket to a global audience and the guys are determined to prove they belong at the top level of the sport.”

Ireland squad for World Twenty20: William Porterfield (capt), Andrew Balbirnie, George Dockrell, Andy McBrine, Tim Murtagh, Kevin O’Brien, Niall O’Brien, Andrew Poynter, Stuart Poynter, Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Stuart Thompson, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

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England Ballance Ashes Squad

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England have given Yorkshire batsman Gary Ballance a surprise call-up to their Ashes squad to tour Australia this winter.

The 23-year-old left-hander, who was born in Zimbabwe, is uncapped at Test level and has only played a single one-day international for England.

Durham all-rounder Ben Stokes and ex-Ireland pace bowler Boyd Rankin, who are yet to play a Test, also make the squad, as do left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, top-order batsman Michael Carberry and seamer Chris Tremlett.

However, seamers Tim Bresnan and Graham Onions miss out on the 17-man squad, as do spinner James Tredwell and opener Nick Compton.

Bresnan is currently sidelined with a stress fracture in his back and national selector Geoff Miller said: "He will travel to Australia with the squad to maximise his rehab opportunities with the medical team and coaches who will monitor his progress."

The Ashes series down under begins in Brisbane on 21 November, with the fifth and final Test starting in Sydney on 2 January.

The inclusion of Rankin, 29, and Stokes, 22, could have been anticipated as, despite their lack of experience at Test level, they both impressed for England in the recent ODI series defeat by Australia.

The height of Rankin and Tremlett also appears to have worked in their favour, with the pitches in Australia expected to offer bounce.

Panesar gets the nod ahead of Tredwell as reserve spinner behind first-choice Graeme Swann.

But Ballance has played only one ODI, which came against Ireland in September in which he was dismissed for a duck.

However, he averages 52.17 after 64 first-class matches and Miller said: "There are no left-field selections.

"He's played very well for Yorkshire so it's not a left-field selection, it's considered."

Miller added that picking Durham's Stokes was about keeping one eye on the future.

"It's not just about picking the side," he said. "You obviously pick players to win the series but we have to think about the future as well, the immediate future and a bit further on.

"He's proved over the last year or so that he's developing his game rapidly, he's an exciting prospect.

"He comes into the squad to feel the atmosphere and we know he's capable of doing a job for us in the all-rounder position."

England squad: Alastair Cook (captain), Joe Root, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Michael Carberry, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Matt Prior (vice-captain), Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Monty Panesar, Steven Finn, Boyd Rankin, Chris Tremlett.

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Top Lions Rankin for Boyd

Nottinghamshire's James Taylor will lead a 16-man England Lions squad for their tour of Bangladesh beginning in January.

All 16 members were selected on the England Performance Programme in October and are currently training in India and South Africa.

ECB performance director David Parsons said: "We have selected a young squad for this tour.

"This is in line with our strategy of looking ahead to the 2015 World Cup."

The squad spent the first part of the winter training at the National Cricket Performance Centre in Loughborough.

"[We are] identifying and working with players who may be able to go on and play a role for England in the future," added Parsons.

"These players have worked extremely hard over the last couple of months with a strong focus on limited-overs cricket.

"This tour presents a good opportunity for these players to continue to develop their skills in subcontinent conditions on what will no doubt be a challenging tour of Bangladesh, as well as push for selection for future England squads."ENGLAND LIONS SQUAD

James Taylor (Nottinghamshire - captain), Jonathan Bairstow (Yorkshire), Scott Borthwick (Durham), Danny Briggs (Hampshire), Jack Brooks (Northants), Nathan Buck (Leicestershire), Jos Buttler (Somerset), Alex Hales (Nottinghamshire), Simon Kerrigan (Lancashire), Tom Maynard (Surrey), Stuart Meaker (Surrey), Tymal Mills (Essex), Boyd Rankin (Warwickshire), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jason Roy (Surrey), James Vince (Hampshire).