Ed Joyce handed central contract as Ireland gear up for Test cricket

Ed Joyce will play a crucial role in securing Test cricket for Ireland Joyce is one of 10 players to be handed a full-time deal as Ireland close in on attaining Test status. The deal will see Joyce, 38, play first-class cricket in Ireland and also allow him to continue as a Sussex player, when required, in the Specsavers County Championship next season. “I am extremely honoured to accept a full-time international playing contract with Ireland,” Joyce said. Ed Joyce is one of Ireland’s most experienced cricketers with 63 ODI appearances to his name”Test cricket is the greatest ambition for any cricketer. “Ireland has a huge opportunity to play at the highest level in the coming years and I want to be a part of that journey. “With this agreement though I am delighted to also maintain my commitment to Sussex who have been my cricketing family for so long. Ed Joyce will play first-class cricket for Leinster and for Sussex when required”Captaining Sussex has been one of my proudest achievements in cricket and I’m really happy to be a part of the squad if called upon in 2017.” Joyce switched allegiance to represent England between 2006 and 2007 and made his ODI debut against the country of his birth in Belfast, opening the batting and making just 10. He made his first century against Australia in Sydney and recorded two 50s in the West Indies for England at the 2007 World Cup.