Rankin Signs New Three-Year Contract Extension With The Bears

Warwickshire Fast Bowler Boyd Rankin has signed a new three year contract extension to remain at Edgbaston until at least the end of the 2015 cricket season.

The 6ft 7inch 28 year-old from Derry in Northern Ireland, first signed for the Bears in 2008 and has gone on to take 128 wickets in 41 First Class Matches. A season's best of 55 First Class wickets last year, at an average of just over 25, led to a call up for the England Performance Programme and subsequent England Lions tour of Bangladesh.

Commenting on his new contract, Boyd said: "It's fantastic to put pen to paper and commit to such a great Club as Warwickshire for the next three years. The coaching team have been great in helping me develop as a cricketer and we have a team that's capable of consistently challenging for honours.

"At present we're very well placed to push for silverware and I'm committed to doing everything possible to help us realise this in 2012 and beyond."

After signing his new deal for the Bears, Rankin has underlined his intention to break back into the England set-up by standing down from matches with his native Ireland team.

He added: "It's been a great honour to represent my country and to be part of two ICC World Cup and World t20 teams. It was very difficult to make this decision, but I want to give myself the best possible chance of playing Test Match cricket, and I need to carefully manage my schedule to give myself the best possible chance of achieving this.

"I am available for this year's ICC World t20 in Sri Lanka and I look forward to the great challenge ahead if selected."

Ashley Giles, Director of Cricket at Warwickshire CCC, said: "It's been great to have Boyd back in action over the last two weeks. The additional bounce that he generates is a unique attribute to our bowling attack and we were very keen to secure his services for the foreseeable future.

"He's made a brave decision to retire from Ireland matches, but it's one that we respect. When fully fit he's one of the best fast bowlers in county cricket and we fully support his ambitions and commitment to breaking back into the England Performance set-up."