Joyce free to play for Ireland

Ed Joyce, the Middlesex left-hander, has been given permission to play for Ireland in the first stages of the ICC Trophy, which starts on July 1. That is the same date that he becomes eligible to play for England - if the ICC agree with the ECB - but current rules allow a player to represent an associate country without affecting their qualification for a Test nation.

Joyce will represent Ireland from July 1 to July 7 before return to Middlesex for their County Championship match against Hampshire. He has begun the season in fine style, hitting a career-best 192 against Nottinghamshire at Lord's in the latest round of Championship matches.

While Joyce is keen to help Ireland in the ICC Trophy - the top five teams progress to the 2007 World Cup - he has always indicated that his main ambition is to play Tests for England. Even while he has been serving his qualification period Joyce has been tipped for England honours. He is a compact left-hander with an impressive range of strokes and is an especially strong driver of the ball.

If he continues his progress in county cricket, and helps Ireland to qualify for the 2007 World Cup, he may yet have two teams after his services in the Caribbean.