Graveney threw Joyce's name into the mix recently when he insisted the Middlesex man would have been in contention for the Bangladesh Tests had he been eligible.
Joyce, who makes his farewell appearance for Ireland in the ICC Trophy in Belfast early next month, is philosophical about his long drawn-out qualification. And the impact of his team-mate Andrew Strauss on the Test scene has given him hope for the future.
He said: "It's taken me longer [to qualify for England] because I spent four years at Trinity College, Dublin, getting my degree.
"I'm very fortunate to have studied there, it's a magnificent college and I made some good friends, too.
"I wouldn't have swapped anything and it doesn't frustrate me at all. Maybe I will benefit from not qualifying too early.
"Hopefully, I am coming into contention at the right time. Look at Straussy, he didn't break into the Test team until he was 27 but it was his time and what an impact he made. Who knows, I may never get picked for England. All I know is I am very happy at Middlesex. There's a great spirit in the club.
"Getting a big score (192) in the first match was important. It took away the fear of failure and helped me relax.
"Since then I've had a couple of 90s and an 80. That bugs me a bit because I should have gone on to two or three more centuries."
Joyce is the sixth of nine children and five of them have played cricket for Ireland - brothers, Ed, Gus and Dominic - and twin sisters, Cecelia and Isobel.
Ed and Dominic will line up together in the ICC Trophy but Gus has retired with a shoulder problem.
"I love playing for Ireland," said Joyce. "I'm really looking forward to this one and I think we've got a great chance of qualifying for the World Cup."
Joyce will miss a couple of Twenty20 matches with Middlesex and admitted: "These games are great entertainment but they are not my speciality. I'm more of a stroker than a hitter."
Joyce's style has been likened to that of another languid left-hander, David Gower.
"To be compared with a player of his quality is very flattering," he said. "I would not mind playing in as many Tests as he did."
Middlesex coach John Emburey has been delighted with Joyce's performances. He said: "Ed has had a wonderful month and has become the backbone of our side. He is his own person and very laid back but, if he maintains his form and gets a chance with England, I am sure he'll be ready."
