When two brothers made their ODI debuts on the same day in the same match, but for different countries!

It is not often that brothers make their international debuts in the same game. But it’s extremely rare that siblings make their debuts for different countries.

When Ireland played their inaugural One-Day International (ODI) against England in 2006, Joyce brothers Ed and Dominick faced-off in a unique sibling rivalry. Ed had been a crucial member of the Ireland team before establishing himself in county cricket and working his way into the England team. Dominick remained with Ireland and was a part of the XI for the nation’s first ODI. As luck would have it, Ed made his debut on the same day, but was in the blues for England. While Ed opened the batting for England and scored 10, Dominick faced Ireland’s first ball in ODIs and was dismissed for a blob after three balls.

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Ed and Dominick hail from a cricketing family. Their sisters Isobel and Cecelia are well-known Irish women cricketers. Their eldest brother Augustine also played one game for Ireland in their pre-international days.

Wonder who the family supported when two of their own played on opposite sides. Luckily, this conflict did not last long as Ed returned to play for Ireland a few years later. Dominick has not played for Ireland since 2007.