Joyce played 17 one-day internationals and two Twenty20 games for England

Former England batsman Ed Joyce has been cleared to play for his native Ireland in the 2011 World Cup.

Joyce was not eligible until April but the Irish asked the International Cricket Council for special dispensation for him in the World Cup.

"To play for Ireland a little earlier than expected and on the biggest stage, is absolutely fantastic," said Joyce.

However, Ireland's request to have former New Zealand batsman Hamish Marshall cleared has been turned down.

Former Test player Marshall is an Irish passport holder but he will not be able to eligible for his adopted country until April.

That will be too late for the World Cup which begins in February, running until 2 April when the final takes place.

Marshall and Joyce are in Ireland's pre-World Cup training camp in India, where they will play four matches against invitational sides.

Joyce last played for Ireland in 2005 and during his spell with England he hit 107 in a one-day international during the tour to Australia.

It's a huge boost to have Ed available for the World Cup Ireland coach Phil Simmons

That helped earn him selection for England's squad for that year's World Cup.

The 32-year-old has scored 1637 runs at an average of 37.20 in his 50 appearances for Ireland.

Joyce added: "It's obviously tremendous news. Playing for Ireland again is something I've given a lot of thought to over the last few years.

"Having seen the talent and work ethic of the squad over the last week or so in India, I feel Ireland will, once again, make a huge impact at the World Cup.

"I look forward to hopefully offering a lot to the team in the tournament and the whole of 2011."

Ireland coach Phil Simmons is delighted by Joyce's return for the tournament in Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

"It's a huge boost to have Ed available for the World Cup, adding to the selectors' headaches in an already strong squad, but that's a nice problem to have," he said.

"Of course, it would have been fantastic to have both Ed and Hamish available, but it's not to be."

An ICC spokesperson said: "Ed was granted permission for his four-year standout period to be slightly reduced.

"This was done on the basis of exceptional circumstances and the unique facts of his specific case, which included his Irish background and his very strong ties to Irish cricket from childhood up to senior national representation."

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