Ireland's hopes of securing Boyd Rankin's return to their squad for the World Cup look to be over after he was named in a provisional England Lions squad for their South African trip.

The 14 man squad for the January tour is a provisional one, dependent on who England select for their World Cup campaign.

The selection of Rankin appears to have put the final nail in the coffin of the Irish selectors who were keen to have the Bready man back in their ranks for the World Cup. 

Ireland's seam bowling frailties have been exposed since the retirement of Trent Johnston and Rankin's switch to England, although the mergence of Craig Young and Peter Chase does offer some promise for better times ahead.

It would have taken a special ICC dispensation for Rankin to feature for Ireland Down Under, but ICC sources had indicated that an Irish application would have been successful, had Rankin wished to make the switch.

Ed Joyce received a similar dispensation to play in the 2011 World Cup, although Hamish Marshall's was declined.

Participating World Cup countries have until December to submit their 30 man squads, with the final 15 being nominated a month later, 30 days before the competition starts.

Ireland are next in action in late November and early December, when they are scheduled to play two matches against a New Zealand XI in 50 over contests in the UAE.