Joyce wants to play for Ireland again

Ed Joyce wants to represent his native Ireland once again after more than three years without an international appearance for England.

The 31-year-old batsman played 50 times for Ireland between 1997 and 2005 before qualifying for England on residency grounds.

Joyce was included in the 2006/07 Ashes squad but did not make a Test appearance and the last of his 17 one-day international (ODI) caps came in April 2007.

"When I made the decision in 2001 to try and play for England, it was with a view to trying to play Test cricket, which is the pinnacle of the game and which, of course, Ireland doesn't play," Joyce, now with Sussex but who previously played for Middlesex, said on Tuesday.

"While I strongly believe I'm good enough to play Test cricket for England, I've taken the decision now to try and play for Ireland again," the left-hander added.

"There are a few reasons for this, with the most obvious being I'm a born and bred Irishman. Secondly, I feel I have a lot to offer to Irish cricket.

"I feel I'm playing the best cricket of my career and would like to bring this form with me to help Ireland be even more successful on the world stage."

If Joyce wants to play for Ireland in the 2011 World Cup in Asia he will require an exemption from International Cricket Council (ICC) rules because it would be fewer than four years since his final match for England.

Ireland coach Phil Simmons said: "It's fantastic news Ed has decided to play for Ireland again.

"He's a superb cricketer and it will be a great boost to have a player of his calibre in the team," the former West Indies batsman added.

Joyce's announcement came in the same week where another former Ireland player, Eoin Morgan, is in line to make his Test debut for England against Bangladesh at Lord's

Hugh Morris, managing director of England Cricket, said: "While we are naturally disappointed to lose a player of Ed's calibre from our pool of potential England players, we entirely respect and understand the reasons behind his decision."