Senior Ireland batsman Ed Joyce retires

Joyce’s retirement comes as a surprise as Ireland had just begun its Test journey; the left-hander played 78 ODIs and 18 T20s.

Ed Joyce scored 2,622 runs in 78 one-dayers at an average of 38.00.

Ireland batsman Ed Joyce has announced retirement from cricket with immediate effect. The 39-year-old has been the batting mainstay of the Irish since its inception in 2006.

Joyce featured in three World Cups — 2007 (for England), 2011 and 2015 — and has been consistent with the bat.

He had moved to England after helping Ireland qualify for the World Cup in 2007. Joyce played 17 ODIs in that period — between 2006 and 2007 — scoring 471 runs at an average of 27.70.

He returned to Ireland in 2011.

“I feel now is the right time to stop playing and get started on a new chapter. 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,” Joyce was quoted as saying by Cricket Ireland.

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The stylish left-hander scored 2,622 runs in 78 one-dayers at an average of 38.00. The unbeaten 160, also his highest score, against Afghanistan in 2016 still remains a talking point.

Joyce hammered six centuries and 15 half-centuries in his 12-year-career.

He also played 18 Twenty20 games, and collected 405 runs. The 58-ball 78 against Scotland in 2012 remains his best.

Joyce has also been a prolific cricketer at the First-class level. He smashed 18,461 runs in 255 matches at an average of 47.95 with 47 centuries.

Joyce represented Marylebone Cricket Club, Middlesex and Sussex in the County. "County cricket has been such a huge part of my life for the last 16 years and I firmly believe there was no better place for me to learn about the game. I was lucky to have played for two of the best in Middlesex and Sussex and I cherish the friendships I made and trophies I won over this period,” he said.

Joyce’s retirment comes as a surprise as Ireland had just begun its Test journey. The inaugural Test, against Pakistan , took place earlier this month in Dublin.

Sportstar understands that he will continue his association with cricket as a batting coach. Joyce is also likely to oversee operations in the Irish performance system.

“I am very grateful to Cricket Ireland for giving me the opportunity to get involved in the coaching set up. I know I have a huge amount to learn about the art of coaching, but I know I also have a huge amount of knowledge that I’m determined to pass on to the next generation of Irish talent," added Joyce.