Joyce declared for England in 2005

Cricket Ireland has confirmed that batsman Ed Joyce wants to resume his international career with Ireland five years after declaring for England.

Ireland are hoping the 31-year-old will be available for the 2011 World Cup but he will need special ICC dispensation.

"While I believe I'm good enough to play Test cricket for England I've decided taken the decision now to try and play for Ireland again," he said.

"The most obvious reason for this is that I'm a born and bred Irishman."

Joyce qualified for England by virtue of his residency there, but has since dropped down the pecking order and Ireland hope he will be re-qualified in time for next year's World Cup, which begins in February.

The Dubliner played for England in the 2007 World Cup and under International Cricket Council rules he should be unable to switch allegiance back to the country of his birth until April 2011.

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Cricket Ireland hopes the fact that he previously played 50 times for Ireland between 1997 and 2005 will work in his favour as officials apply for an exemption.

"We hope we will get permission from the ICC as Ed holds an Irish passport," a Cricket Ireland spokesperson explained.

Joyce plays county cricket for Sussex and last year signed a three-year deal which will keep him at Hove until 2012.

He played in 17 one-day internationals for England, the high point being an innings of 107 at Sydney in an England victory over Australia.

"When I made the decision in 2001 to try and play for England, it was with a view to playing Test cricket which is the pinnacle of the game and which of course Ireland doesn't play," Joyce added.

"I feel I have a lot to offer Irish cricket and that I am playing the best cricket of my career.

"I would like to bring this form with me to help Ireland be even more successful on the world stage, a success which I am committed to running in tandem with my Sussex career, in the same ways that other Irish players have satisfied club and country commitments really well."

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