Less than a fortnight after realizing Test dream, Joyce retires

Dual international Ed Joyce on Thursday announced his retirement from all forms of cricket less than a fortnight after realising his dream of playing a Test for Ireland.

Less than a fortnight after being a part of the first ever Test team of Ireland, middle order batsman Ed Joyce has announced retirement from all forms of cricket.

The 39-year-old was one of the 11 men who made history against Pakistan in Malahide earlier this month, when Ireland became the 11th Test-playing nation. Joyce scored 4 in the first innings but came up with an important 43 in the second innings, where Ireland ran Pakistan close.

The left-hander, who had also represented England in ODI cricket, will now assume the role of a batting consultant in the Ireland side, in order to inject new blood in the Test set-up.

Joyce played a total of 78 one day internationals -- 17 for his adopted country of England -- and 18 Twenty20 internationals, two for England.

He returned to the Irish fold in time for the 2011 World Cup and became the side's senior player as well as one of the most reliable batsmen.

Joyce, who last year ended a county career that began in 1999, will take up a backroom position with Cricket Ireland as a batting and leadership coach.

“I feel now is the right time to stop playing and get started on a new chapter," he said. "The recent Test match against Pakistan was such an incredible few days and was the perfect game for me to say was my last in professional cricket."

William Porterfield, Joyce's long-time team-mate and Ireland skipper, said: "He has had such an amazing career that he can be so proud of over the past 20 or so years. For it to culminate in taking the field for Ireland's first ever Test match was the icing on the cake, I'm sure."