England pace bowler Boyd Rankin admits nerves got the better of him on Test debut

 
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Tom Dutton8 January 2014

England pace bowler Boyd Rankin has admitted his nerves were responsible for an underwhelming Test debut against Australia last week and believes his performance ‘couldn't have gone much worse’.

The former Ireland international quit playing for his homeland to pursue a future in the five-day format and was handed an opportunity to shine in the fifth Ashes Test, but managed figures of just 1-81 across both injury-hampered innings.

Rankin claimed only the second-innings wicket of tailender Peter Siddle after pulling up mid-over on the first day with a problem which was later revealed to be cramp.

And the Warwickshire man said his troubles had left him feeling like he was ‘letting the team down’.

"I'd worked hard for a long time to get here and, don't forget, gave up my Ireland career, so when the team was named the day before the Test after training, it made it all worthwhile," said Rankin in his column with the Belfast Telegraph.

"It was at lunchtime that I started getting cramp and I was fighting against it through my second spell. I had no problem running around the outfield but as soon as I landed when bowling the first ball of my third spell it seized up. I wanted it to disappear so badly but there was nothing I could do about it.

"I have rarely suffered from cramp in the past, I think the last time was against England at the World Cup in 2007, another big occasion, so I suppose it was down to nerves and tension and, of course, I hadn't played in a match for five weeks.

"My first thought was that I was letting the team down because the other lads had done so well, especially Ben Stokes getting six wickets. So I gave it one more go after tea, but, again, when I landed on bowling I got the same sensation and it was just impossible to keep going, so I spent the rest of the innings in the dressing room.

"Although I managed 12 overs' bowling in the second innings, I never felt 100 per cent. I was still fighting through the cramp and as a result, I didn't really have any rhythm throughout the game and it showed in terms of my speed which was down on where I normally would be."

Amid suggestion Rankin will now face a tough fight to force his way back into Test contention, the Irishman claimed his first flavour of five-day cricket had only heightened his desire to nail down a regular spot.

"Now that I've got a taste of it, I have the urge to work even harder and play a few more," he said. "The first couldn't have gone much worse, having to come off with cramp it was a tough few days.

"It was only on the last day that I felt pretty much at home but I have learnt so much from those three days in terms of what I want to do if I get another chance."

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