Published: Sep 22, 2015, 03:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 22, 2016, 11:58 AM (IST)
Born September 22, 1978, Edmund Christopher Joyce is a cricketer from Ireland, who has represented both English and Irish national teams. He is one of the most talented cricketers Ireland have ever produced. On his 37th birthday, Abhishek Kumar lists out 10 interesting facts about the Irish batsman.
1. Played a handy role in giving Ireland debut World Cup appearance
Joyce made his debut for Ireland in 1997 against Scotland and since then, he was one of the most important players of the side. In the ICC Trophy of 2005, Joyce scored 399 runs in the tournament which led Ireland to its maiden World Cup appearance in 2007. Eventually, he did play in the World Cup, but not for Ireland. He was selected to the relatively stronger team, England and opted to play for it in the World Cup.
2. Father James Joyce
His father James Joyce doesn’t bear any relation to the legendary author of the same name from the same country.
3. Played for both Ireland and England
Joyce represented Ireland prior in the ICC World Cup qualifier but after a year he gained a spot in the England team. Later after few years, Joyce came back to the country of his birth and represented Ireland in the 2011 World Cup.
4. Controversial selection to England test team
Prior to the 2006-07 Ashes series, Joyce was selected in England’s Test team by Chairman of selectors David Graveney replacing Marcus Trescothick. The decision was quite criticised as Joyce was given chance over more experienced Owais Shah and Robert Key. He, however, didn’t get a chance to play a single Test in the series.
5. Debut against birth country
Joyce’s One-Day International (ODI) debut was marked by strange coincidence as he was playing against his own national team whom he had represented previously. On June 13, 2006, Joyce began his international career by playing for England against Ireland and ended up scoring 10 runs. His brother Dom also debuted in the same match representing Ireland. Both Ed and Dom opened batting for their respective teams. England won the match by 38 runs.
6. Surprise qualification
When Joyce was not given any more chances to play Test cricket, he decided to move to Ireland in 2010. As per the contract, Joyce had to wait for four years after playing a World Cup for England in 2007, as a result of which he was set to miss playing for Ireland in 2011 World Cup. But later in November 2010, ICC announced that he can play for Ireland in the World Cup by shortening his period and eventually he got selected in the 15-man squad for Ireland.
7. Played three World Cup for two different countries
Joyce belongs to those rare breed of cricketers who have played three World Cup tournaments for two different nations. In 2007 World Cup, Joyce was playing England and in the next World Cup of 2011, he was seen representing Ireland which he continued in 2015 World Cup as well.
8. Double centurion
During a match against United Arab Emirates in the ICC Intercontinental Cup of 2015-16/17, Joyce became the first Irish batsman to score a double hundred on home soil. He scored 231 runs in just 232 balls. Further, Ireland won the match by an innings and 26 runs.
9. Retired from T20Is
After playing two T20 World Cups, Joyce announced his retirement from playing T20 in March 2015 to concentrate more on ODIs and Test cricket. He played 16 T20I for Ireland, out of which he scored 404 runs at an average of 36.72.
10. Cricketing family
Joyce is not the only one from his family to represent Ireland in cricket. Infact, he is one of the five from his family. His two brothers Gus and Dom and twin sisters Isobel and Cecelia have also done the same. Currently, Isobel is leading the Irish Women’s side. His mother Maureen kept scores for two ODIs against New Zealand in 2002. All in all, a perfect cricketing family.
(Abhishek Kumar is a cricket devotee currently staffing with Criclife.com. He can be followed at abhicricket.kumar and abhishekkr2593)
