News

DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland has today named two squads to take on the visiting Zimbabwe Women later this month, with The Hills’ Lara McBride receiving her first call-up to the senior international side.

The two 14-player squads will play three T20 Internationals at Pembroke Cricket Club, then two one-day internationals at Stormont.

Gaby Lewis will captain both squads, while Orla Prendergast will be vice-captain.

The 19-year-old right-arm off-spinner Lara McBride received her first senior call up. McBride played for Ireland Under-19 Women at the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in January and has impressed selectors playing in the Evoke Super Series.

Ciara O’Brien, National Women’s selector, said:

“We’re delighted to get back to international cricket again after a busy block of 50-over and T20 matches in the Evoke Super Series in the last eight weeks. These matches against Zimbabwe – followed by the T20I series against Pakistan – are a crucial lead-in to the all-important T20 World Cup Qualifier in late August.

“It has been great to see a first call-up for Lara McBride who has been working hard on her game, and the upcoming series is also Lloyd Tennant’s first matches as Head Coach, so we wish Lloyd and the squad well.”

Lloyd Tennant, Head Coach of Ireland Women, said:

“I’m very much looking forward to this upcoming series – my aim during the next few weeks and months is to build on the strong foundations already in place, but where possible, look to move our game forward. I’ve had a very warm welcome since arriving – and watched some very competitive action in the Super Series – there is plenty of incredibly talented players here in Ireland to work with, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can progress further over coming years.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

• The two sides have met in seven T20Is: Ireland has won all seven
• The two sides have met in eight ODIs: Ireland has won six, Zimbabwe has won one, there has been one tie

SQUADS

Ireland Women’s T20I squad

• Gaby Lewis (captain) (Phoenix / Scorchers)
• Ava Canning (Leinster / Typhoons)
• Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf/Scorchers)
• Laura Delany (Leinster/Typhoons)
• Amy Hunter (Instonians/Dragons)
• Arlene Kelly (Malahide/Dragons)
• Louise Little (Pembroke/Scorchers)
• Sophie MacMahon (Leinster/Scorchers)
• Jane Maguire (The Hills/Typhoons)
• Lara McBride (The Hills/Scorchers)
• Cara Murray (Waringstown/Clontarf/Dragons)
• Leah Paul (Merrion/Typhoons)
• Orla Prendergast (Pembroke/Dragons)
• Rebecca Stokell (Merrion/Typhoons)

Ireland Women’s ODI squad

• Gaby Lewis (captain) (Phoenix / Scorchers)
• Ava Canning (Leinster / Typhoons)
• Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf/Scorchers)
• Alana Dalzell (Bready/Dragons)
• Laura Delany (Leinster/Typhoons)
• Sarah Forbes (Pembroke/Typhoons)
• Amy Hunter (Instonians/Dragons)
• Arlene Kelly (Malahide/Dragons)
• Louise Little (Pembroke/Scorchers)
• Jane Maguire (The Hills/Typhoons)
• Lara McBride (The Hills/Scorchers)
• Cara Murray (Waringstown/Clontarf/Dragons)
• Leah Paul (Merrion/Typhoons)
• Orla Prendergast (Pembroke/Dragons)

Tickets are on sale for all matches – fans can buy them at: https://cricketireland.ie/tickets/

FIXTURES

Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women

• 20 July: Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women (1^st T20I; Pembroke)
• 22 July: Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women (2^nd T20I; Pembroke)
• 23 July: Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women (3^rd T20I; Pembroke)
• 26 July: Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women (1^st ODI; Stormont)
• 28 July: Ireland Women v Zimbabwe Women (2^nd ODI; Stormont)

Livescoring will be available from: https://cricketireland.ie/matches/

SPONSOR

Certa Ireland is the Official Title Sponsor for Ireland Women and It’s Wicket!. Certa is on a mission to become Ireland’s most progressive energy company and as the Primary Sponsor for Ireland Women and It’s Wicket! are driving forward the growth of women’s cricket in Ireland.