Rankin eyes Derbyshire spot

Ireland's Boyd Rankin has impressed during the World Cup

Boyd Rankin is making a big impression for minnows Ireland and hopes it will be enough to earn him a place in Derbyshire's plans this summer.

Giant fast bowler Rankin, 22, knocked over Ed Joyce and Michael Vaughan with the new ball on Friday in the 48-run defeat to England, having taken three wickets in the shock win over Pakistan which ensured qualification for the Super Eight phase.

At 6ft 8in he can generate the bounce to trouble the best players on the world stage and could prove to be a handy acquisition in the LV County Championship.

"What I'm aiming for this summer is to get a spot in the first team at Derbyshire," added Rankin.

"I would hope that what I have done here so far would go towards getting me that place.

"Hopefully, with a few more wickets I have got a good chance."

Seamer Rankin was afflicted by cramp against England

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Cramp curtailed Rankin's participation in England's innings of 266 for seven but his early double, including the removal of Joyce, whose performances helped the Irish qualify before for the Caribbean competition before he changed allegiance, kept the pressure on deep into the innings.

"It was great to get some wickets under my belt first up. No-one could believe I got Ed Joyce first ball, it was unbelievable.

"To see the stump knocked back was great - I don't think they can have been put in properly," Rankin joked.

"But it gave me confidence for the rest of the spell.

"At one stage it was going well for the team and we would have really been on top with another couple of wickets but they never came."

Ireland captain Trent Johnston believes Rankin's natural attributes and attitude should guarantee him a bright future.

Johnston said: "He deserves to do well, he's a good young kid who works hard and has the ability to go places.

"He bowled very well yesterday in his opening spell and unfortunately he couldn't come back.

"It is not easy when you have your opening bowler bowling so well, he's only bowled six or seven overs and it would have been nice to bring him back at the end.

"Perhaps we will have to put him on a drip two days before the next game!"