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Ireland re-Joyce over Ed

Image: Joyce: cleared to return

Ed Joyce can play for Ireland in the 2011 World Cup - but Hamish Marshall will not be available for his adopted country.

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Marshall to miss out after ICC decline Cricket Ireland's request

Ed Joyce will be allowed to play for Ireland in the 2011 World Cup after the International Cricket Council (ICC) granted him special dispensation. Left-hander Joyce played for England in the 2007 World Cup, meaning he would not be able to feature again for the country of his birth until next April. However, the ICC have agreed to allow the four-year standout period to be shortened so he can play in the next 50-over tournament in February. Cricket Ireland's request to have Irish passport holder Hamish Marshall cleared to take part was turned down though, ruling him out of the event.

Tremendous news

"It's obviously tremendous news," Joyce said. "Playing for Ireland again is something I've given a lot of thought to over the last few years and to be given the opportunity to do so, a little earlier than expected and on the biggest stage, is absolutely fantastic. "Having seen the talent and work ethic of the squad over the last week or so in India, I feel Ireland will, once again, make a huge impact at the World Cup and I look forward to hopefully offering a lot to the team in the tournament and the whole of 2011." Ireland coach Phil Simmons admitted it was a "huge boost" to have Joyce available for the next World Cup. "It's a huge boost to have Ed available for the World Cup, adding to the selectors' headaches in an already strong squad, but that's a nice problem to have," he said. "Of course, it would have been fantastic to have both Ed and Hamish available, but it's not to be. I feel very sorry for Hamish, but this squad will be at other big tournaments, of that I'm certain." Former New Zealand batsman Marshall, who now plays for Gloucestershire, will have wait until the start of next April to turn out for his adopted country.

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