Ireland have named their 14-strong squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup European Qualifier in Rotterdam, which runs from 20-27 August.
Hosts Netherlands, Italy, and Germany will provide the opposition with Ireland playing each nation twice in a round robin format. The top two will progress to the Global Qualifier in Nepal which will contain 10 teams.
Gaby Lewis, who was nominated for the ICC Women’s player of the Month for July, will captain the side with Orla Prendergast named vice captain, having recently risen to sixth position in the T20 all-rounders list.
Ireland swept a three-game series against Zimbabwe in July before a 2-1 series win against Pakistan with the only change from the latter squad seeing Alana Dalzell replacing Louise Little.
The squad contains plenty of experience as Lewis and Laura Delany have already reached the 100 cap mark, while Prendergast, Rebecca Stockell, Leah Paul, Cara Murray and Arlene Kelly have surpassed 50. Amy Hunter will join this club should she start the opening game against Germany on 20 August.
Two members of the squad have the chance to become the first Irish woman to achieve the double of 1500 runs and 50 wickets in the T20 format with Delany 21 runs away and Predergast 54 short.
“Qualifier campaigns are notoriously tough, with fixtures coming thick and fast,” said Ireland selector, Ciara O’Brien.
“The squad we have chosen, while relatively young in age, have almost 650 caps collectively in the T20I format, so have plenty of experience to draw upon. This experience, as well as a recent hard-fought series win over Pakistan, have the players in a good place and eager to take the first steps towards World Cup qualification.”
T20 World Cup European Qualifier squad
Gaby Lewis (captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell
Ireland’s fixtures
20 August: Ireland v Germany (14.45 BST)
21 August: Ireland v Netherlands (10:00 BST)
23 August: Ireland v Italy (10:00 BST)
24 August: Ireland v Germany (10:00 BST)
26 August: Ireland v Netherlands (14.45 BST)
27 August: Ireland v Italy (14.45 BST)
