Boyd Rankin in action during the World Twenty-20 in June

Ireland paceman Boyd Rankin believes he has the fire power to trouble England's top order in the RSA Challenge one-day clash at Stormont on 27 August.

The Warwickshire seamer memorably bowled Ed Joyce with his first ball when Ireland faced England at the 2007 World Cup in the Caribbean.

But Rankin believes he is a vastly improved bowler two years on.

"I've sorted out a few technical issues with AD (Allan Donald) and have got a lot stronger and fitter," says Rankin.

"I've added a yard of pace to my game and when you add that to my height (six foot eight inches), then I've got the armoury to trouble batsmen."

"I remember that Super Eight game in Guyana very well.

"It was a great feeling to knock back Ed's off stump with my first ball and to get Michael Vaughan shortly after gave me a great boost."

We have a chance of winning and won't be going into the fixture with any inferiority complex Boyd Rankin

Rankin is currently in the second season of a three-year deal with Warwickshire and is hopeful of securing an extension.

"I've been injury free this season, and I'm playing regularly in the four-day games.

"I'd like to be taking more wickets but I'm happy with my rhythm.

"As for the contract, there's plenty of time for that and if I keep bowling well, I'm sure there'll be an extension somewhere down the line.

"I'm happy here and things are going well."

If as expected Rankin takes the new ball against England, it will be only the second time that he will have played an international fixture in Northern Ireland.

Indeed, until the recent one day international series against Kenya in Dublin, only one of his first 37 appearances in Ireland colours had come at home.

Rankin would love to take another prize wicket such as Andrew Flintoff

"I'm a little surprised at that but when you consider all my county commitments and my injuries, it's just the way things have panned out.

"I must admit I'm really looking forward to taking on the English in Belfast. The atmosphere will be terrific I'm sure.

"The players are all talking about it, and there's a genuine sense of belief and purpose in the camp.

"We have a chance of winning and won't be going into the fixture with any inferiority complex."

Rankin will be hoping to claim a few more prize wickets at Stormont after he dismissed ex-Ireland star Joyce and then skipper Vaughan in Jamaica.

"I don't know the composition of their team yet but Andrew Strauss and Alistair Cook would be nice to get.

"Paul Collingwood batted really well against us in Guyana and it was his knock which was the difference that day.

"It looks unlikely that Kevin Pietersen will play because of his injury but Andrew Flintoff would be a great wicket to get."

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