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DUBLIN – Ed Joyce, Head Coach of the Ireland Women’s cricket team, today expressed his understanding about the International Cricket Council’s decision to postpone the Women’s World Cup Qualifier, but hopes that enough lead-in time will be available with new dates to allow for his side to prepare for this important tournament.
Ed Joyce, Head Coach for Ireland Women, said:

“Naturally we are disappointed to see this important qualifying tournament postponed, but it is an understandable situation given the circumstances.”

“The chance to qualify for a world cup is always a big moment in a player’s career, and I know – before lockdown – the performance squad were well positioned, some in Ireland and others playing club cricket during the Irish winter in Australia.”

“We had a lead-in programme in place for the Qualifier before the pandemic hit, but – like everyone else – we’ve had to adapt quickly to lockdown conditions. We have continued fitness programmes and held numerous team learning sessions via video-conferencing over the last two months, but despite the opportunities that these sessions offer, there is no substitute to getting out and playing, so we’re all eager to get out and play when conditions permit.”

“The fixture schedule ahead is certainly going to be a busy one for all cricket nations given the postponements, and we’ll need to develop a preparation programme in the lead up to the tournament, so we hope the ICC can give ample notification of the new dates.”

“It is a challenging time for everyone, but we have a resilient young squad and I know they’ll be dedicated to the task once we’re back underway.”

The tournament was scheduled to be held in Sri Lanka between 3 and 19 July. The Ireland Women’s team had previously seen a tour to Thailand in April cancelled, and had their Qualifier lead-up programme put on hold at the outset of the pandemic.

Read the ICC statement.

Craig Easdown
Ed Joyce spoke after Qualifier announcement
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