Photo Credit: Oisin Keniry
Cricket Ireland has today announced a 14-player Ireland Women’s squad for the upcoming international series against Netherlands at Malahide – the series will involve four T20 Internationals played between 26-30 July 2021.
This will be the second T20I series at home in 2021 for Ireland Women after their 3-1 series win against Scotland in May at Stormont.
Netherlands was the first international side Ireland Women faced in their maiden internationally-capped match in 1983 (a One-Day match won by Netherlands). In the T20 format, Ireland and Netherlands have met 8 times in women’s T20Is, with Ireland winning on 7 occasions, and one no result.
The two sides are heading to Spain for the T20 World Cup European Qualifier – where Ireland, Scotland, Netherlands, France, Germany and Turkey will battle it out for one spot in the T20 World Cup global qualifying tournament.
The squad is:
Laura Delany (captain), Ava Canning, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Sophie MacMahon, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.
COVID reserve: Amy Hunter
The fixtures are:
• 26 July 2021: Ireland Women v Netherlands Women – 1st T20I (Malahide, starting 4pm)
• 27 July 2021: Ireland Women v Netherlands Women – 2nd T20I (Malahide, starting 4pm)
• 28 July 2021: Reserve Day
• 29 July 2021: Ireland Women v Netherlands Women – 3rd T20I (Malahide, starting 4pm)
• 30 July 2021: Ireland Women v Netherlands Women – 4th T20I (Malahide, starting 4pm)
The matches will be livestreamed via Cricket Ireland Live on Youtube and livescored via the Cricket Ireland match centre. Permitted spectator capacity will be advised closer to the series.
Carrie Archer, Chair of National Women’s Selectors, said:
“After a positive set of performances to turn around the series against Scotland in May, the squad will certainly be looking to continue its good form in the international arena ahead of the T20 Qualifiers next month.”
“We’re delighted to announce the return of Eimear Richardson to home soil. Eimear has had a stellar season of club and provincial cricket in New Zealand and her experience and all-round skills will be a great addition to the squad. We also welcome back Mary Waldron who has recently returned from Australia, and is in line to play her first international in almost two years.”
“Also re-joining the senior squad is all-rounder Sophie MacMahon. Sophie was unavailable for the Scotland series, but has had some impressive performances in the Super Series white-ball matches, scoring 149 runs at 49.67, and taking six wickets at 23.67 apiece – at an economical rate of 3.42 runs per over. I look forward to seeing her once more in an international jersey.”
Name of Author: Cricket Ireland
Cricket Ireland, officially known as The Irish Cricket Union Company Limited by Guarantee, is the governing body for cricket on the island of Ireland. It oversees the national men’s and women’s teams and organizes the Inter-Provincial Series, Super 3s, and All-Ireland club competitions. Ireland achieved Test status for women in 2000 and for men in 2017 when it became a Full Member of the ICC.
