Dawn proud as son looks to force his way into Ashes

Mrs Rankin, like everyone with a keen eye on cricket, will be staying up to the early hours of tomorrow (Thursday) morning, to see if her son is part of England’s team which starts their defence of the Ashes in Australia.

The big Warwickshire bowler is battling with Chris Tremlett and Steven Finn to get that third pace bowling spot along with Jimmy Anderson and Chris Broad in the first test.

Nevertheless Mrs Rankin is thrilled for her boy that he’s forced his way into Andy Flower’s squad.

“It’s unbelieveable and we are all so proud of him,” stated Mrs Rankin.

“Boyd has been in England for the last ten years, so he has put in a lot of hard work and it’s great to see that has paid off.

“Even if he doesn’t play, the experience of being in the squad is great for him.”

Mrs Rankin along with her children David, Robert (Junior) and Jemma are all heading Down Under for the fifth and final test, which takes place at the world famous Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

“Myself, Jemma, David and Robert Junior are all going to the final test in Sydney in early January,” added Mrs Rankin.

“We are all looking forward to it and hopefully they will that test, as we’ll be there. Boyd’s father Robert Senior isn’t travelling, because he doesn’t like flying, but I know he’ll be watching back home.

“He’ll probably see more than us,” joked Mrs Rankin.

Mrs Rankin was also happy to see that the likes of William Porterfield, Kevin O’Brien, Paul Stirling and Trent Johnston to name but a few of his old Ireland team-mates have been texting him and wishing him well.

“It has been great that William and a lot of the Irish guys have been texting and on facebook and stuff like that wishing Boyd well. William knows how hard Boyd works, he is a good friend to him and both of them have been in England for a long time.”