Quick Singles

'Everyone stares at you when you're 6ft 8in'

Boyd Rankin talks about giants, playing for the enemy, and being mentored by Allan Donald

Boyd Rankin: no regrets about switching allegiance from Ireland to England  •  Getty Images

Boyd Rankin: no regrets about switching allegiance from Ireland to England  •  Getty Images

How hard was it to turn your back on Ireland in a bid to play Test cricket for England?
It was a pretty tough decision. I left people I'd played cricket with and known all my life - but I wanted to give myself the best possible chance of playing Test cricket.
Is there ever a time you regret it?
Never. I wouldn't change anything.
What was it like, then, making your ODI debut for England in Dublin?
I had all my friends and family there but it was a bit of a weird one, to be honest. There were a lot of faces that I knew very well, the backroom staff and the players that I'd played with. Then suddenly I was against them. It was weird but I just got on with it. It was a proud moment for me.
Talk us through your family's cricket connections.
My dad played local club cricket, one brother played for Ireland A and the other played for Ireland Under-19s. My sister played for Ireland ladies too. We've all played cricket from a young age.
It is claimed you considered quitting cricket after the Ashes series. Were you ever close to doing that?
I think that was blown out of proportion a little bit. I don't think I would have quit cricket, but I was very, very low coming back from that tour. It took me a couple of months to get right after that.
How has Allan Donald influenced your career?
He did a lot of work with me when I went to Warwickshire. He helped remodel my action, but a lot of it was about getting into an aggressive mindset as he was a very aggressive bowler himself. We spoke a lot about different plans to batsmen too.
Whose wicket do you treasure the most?
I'd have to go with KP or Ian Bell. Having played with them you realise how good they are.
Who is your best mate in cricket?
William Porterfield.
Who is the most naturally talented player you have ever played with?
Chris Woakes. Everything he does he seems to do pretty well. He's a very natural all-round cricketer.
And who is the hardest worker?
William Porterfield, again.
What is the worst thing about being 6ft 8in?
Everyone seems to stare at you. When you walk somewhere they chat about you - not to you! Oh, and people call me "Freak" or "Lurch".
How old were you when you first realised you could hurt someone?
It would have been when I was in secondary school. When I was about 13 or 14 and I realised I could bowl a bouncer.
What is the last film you have gone to see at the cinema?
It's been a while but I think it was The Inbetweeners.
What is the best thing about growing up in Londonderry?
The fact I lived on a farm out in the country. I still go back and help out there now.
If you had an over to bowl at one stump, how many times would you hit?
Maybe none, or one! They'd probably be over the top or nowhere near.
Which team-mate has the worst hygiene?
Jonathon Webb. He's absolutely shocking.
Tell us something we don't know about you.
What wouldn't you know already? I've got one. I can weld metal.
When in Londonderry, what must you see?
The Giant's Causeway isn't far away from me. That's probably the best thing to go and see if you are a tourist.
If there was a film about your life, who would you want to play you?
Liam Neeson, because he's from the same part of the world as me.
What is the best cricket advice you have ever been given?
Work hard and just enjoy yourself.
Describe yourself in three words.
A big, friendly giant. The BFG!