Dublin, August 20: Ireland has announced a 14-member women’s squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England, set to take place in September.
Gabby Lewis will take on the captaincy role, while opener Amy Hunter aims to maintain her impressive form.
Currently, Ireland sits at ninth place in the ICC Women’s Championship table. The team is looking to bounce back after losing a three-match series against the West Indies last month.
Returning to the squad are Arlene Kelly and Alice Tector, who have recovered from injuries. Kira McCartan retains her position as a spinner. However, Amy Maguire, Sarah Forbes, and Ava Canning remain unavailable due to injuries.
The ODI series between the two countries will kick off on September 1 at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester. The second ODI will be played on September 3 at the County Ground in Derby, concluding with the final match on September 6 at New Road in Worcester.
National women’s selector Lauren Rolls commented, “There is fierce competition for places in the team, and it’s encouraging to see many talented players emerging for the future. Genuine competition for spots in the senior team is essential as it elevates standards and motivates players to seize every opportunity.”
Rolls also emphasized the importance of regularly playing against the world’s top teams to strengthen Ireland’s competitive edge, stating, “That’s why the ICC Women’s Championship is so crucial. It facilitates regular matches against the best teams globally, benefiting our players’ development and competitive capabilities.”
Ireland’s squad includes: Gabby Lewis (captain), Christina Coulter-Riley, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Kira McCartan, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokel, and Alice Tector.