Cricket Ireland selectors have announced the 14-member squad, who will head to the Women’s WorldT20 Qualifier tournament in the Netherlands in July 2018.
Ireland Women’s team begin their busy schedule over the next few weeks as they play 1 T20I and 3 ODI’s against the visiting New Zealand Women’s team and a 3-match T20I series against the visiting Bangladesh Women’s team prior to leaving for Netherlands for the qualifiers.
Ireland Women’s team are in the same group as Thailand Women, Uganda Women and Scotland Women in the group phase of the qualifiers, from which the top 2 teams will advance to the semi-final stage of the qualifiers. The top 2 teams from the qualifiers will go on to play in the ICC Women’s WorldT20 in West Indies in Nov 2018.
Laura Delany, Ireland Women’s national captain, told on Cricket Ireland website “It’s a big year for women’s cricket in Ireland, and one which the women’s senior squad are relishing. There is nothing better than taking on some of the world’s best teams in front of home supporters.”
“The White Ferns and the Bangladeshis provide contrasting challenges for us, but with the blend of youth and experience which have been selected across these squads, we should be in a good position ahead of the all-important Women’s World T20 Qualifier tournament in July.”
Ireland Women’s Squad for ICC Women’s WorldT20 Qualifiers:
Laura Delany (Captain), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Ciara Metcalfe, Cara Murray, Lucy O’Reilly, Eimear Richardson, Clare Shillington, Rebecca Stokell & Mary Waldron
In the New Zealand home series, much will be expected from Isobel Joyce, Cecilia Joyce, Laura Delany, Shauna Kavanagh & Kim Garth. Garth has played in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash for the past couple of years now and her experience will be vital in Ireland’s overall performance on the day.
