Ed Joyce Retires From County Cricket To Focus On Representing Ireland

May 24, 2017 at 7:45 PM

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Ed Joyce Retires From County Cricket To Focus On Representing Ireland

Sussex batsman Ed Joyce has retired from county cricket in order to concentrate on playing for Ireland Test Cricket.

The announcement has not come as a surprise. It was announced in December that Joyce would be combining a county role as cover for the first team squad with Sussex and a number of roles with Ireland, but it was always likely that his county appearances would be limited and so it proved.

The 38-year-old left-hander was awarded a category A player contract by Cricket Ireland in December and the former Sussex captain has decided to call time on his county career.

Joyce arrived at Hove in 2009 from Middlesex and was appointed skipper in 2012. He scored over 8,000 first-class runs for Sussex at an average of 49.39, with a career-best 250 against Derbyshire last season and also has 23 centuries.

The 38-year-old had been an integral part of Ireland Squad since 2011. At the 2011 World Cup, he was a member of the Ireland team that stunned England in a famous run-chase at Bangalore – and last month, he fulfilled another long-cherished career goal by taking the field at Lord’s, the home of his former county, Middlesex, during Ireland’s maiden ODI series in England.

He has not played for his county side this season and has instead focused on playing for Ireland, coaching their academy sides as well as turning out for Leinster during the Irish first-class competition’s inaugural season. With Ireland likely to get a Test status in 2018, Joyce’s focus is on that journey.

“County cricket has been a huge part of my life for the last 18 years and it is with a tinge of sadness that I’ve decided not to play this season or beyond,” Joyce said of his decision. “I fully intended on playing at least some cricket for Sussex in 2017 but the realities of my various injuries, alongside my playing commitments here in Ireland, have meant that this isn’t possible.”He added ,”There’s no doubt in my mind I played my best cricket at Sussex and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the coaches, players, supporters and environment at the club that allowed me to do this.I’ll always feel like I’m coming home when I visit Hove in the future, which I plan to do as often as possible as a spectator.”

During his tenure, Sussex twice finished third in the top flight of the Championship, their best performances since being crowned county champions in 2007.

“On the playing side, I’m still enjoying competing for Ireland and Leinster,” he said. “With the prospect of Test cricket and full membership potentially on the horizon, it’s an exciting time for Irish cricket and I want to play my part in this process as long as I feel I can contribute on the field.”

Joyce has played 90 limited-overs games for Ireland and England but it is the spectre of playing Test cricket for Ireland that is driving him on. His recent form has been patchy – he has not scored a half-century in his last ten innings – and injuries have limited his appearances, but his form for Sussex last season, when he scored over a thousand Championship runs, suggests he still has plenty to offer in the longer format. 
His experience will also be vital as Ireland make the transition from a diet of largely limited overs cricket to that of the five-day format.
Ireland’s gain is Sussex’s loss. The county has struggled in Championship cricket this season, beaten heavily in their opening two games – although they are in a strong position in their current match against Durham – and failed to qualify for the knock-out stages of the Royal London One-Day Cup. 
Who knows if Joyce’s presence would have made a difference to results but it is clear that Sussex will feel the loss of such a fine and prolific batsman both on and off the pitch.Director of Sussex cricket Keith Greenfield said,

“Ed has been such an important player for the club since he joined us in 2009. The quality of his batting is obvious and has been enjoyed and appreciated by all, but his impact as a person into the environment we have created here cannot be underestimated. His integrity, calmness and professionalism have been crucial to us throughout, both when winning trophies, and also when going through the transition. A quality player and an outstanding man, we all wish him well for the future.”

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