Garth and Richardson return to Ireland squad for quadrangular series

Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast and Sophie MacMahon who had impressive outings with Ireland Academy against Scotland Academy have retained their places in the senior team, while Celeste Raack, the leg-spinner, returns after a stint with the ICC Women's Global Development team in England.

“We welcome Eimear Richardson back to the squad since her last international appearances at the T20 World Cup last year," said Ed Joyce, interim head coach of Ireland, on Friday (August 2). "Her experience will be important in helping to support the younger players new to the international set-up.”

“We’re also encouraged to see vice-captain Kim Garth back in training. While we won’t rush her back into the squad after her recent injury concerns, it will be a lift for the entire squad to see her on the way back to full fitness.”

Ireland will face Netherlands, Thailand and Scotland in a week-long tournament, ahead of the 2019 Women's T20 World Cup Qualifiers in Scotland later this month. Each team will play six matches between 8-14 August.

Joyce said he was pleased with the squad's preparation ahead of the big tournament.

“It has been great to see the progress and development of the squad over these last six weeks, particularly the way the players have responded since the disappointment of the Zimbabwe series cancellation,” he said.

“The trip to Somerset for the England Women’s Academy fixtures gave the squad the opportunity to test themselves in a highly competitive environment and allowed us to experiment a little in live match conditions. It was also the first real opportunity as head coach for me to see the players in action, so was a valuable trip in many respects.”

Delany's team - now at full strength with the return of Garth - will look to use the series in Netherlands as good preparation ahead of Scotland. It is a good opportunity not only to finalise combinations, but also develop some confidence heading into the games.

“Next week’s warm-up tournament in Holland will be our final opportunity to refine our tactics and roles within the squad," said Joyce. "What has been important is our need to create a happy team environment – through this will grow confidence both with individuals and within the team. We are obviously a young squad, but what I have seen is a squad of players that is dedicated to the task at hand and responsive to the ideas and feedback they have been given by the coaching staff.”

Squad: Laura Delany (captain), Kim Garth, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Hannah Little, Sophie MacMahon, Lara Maritz, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Una Raymond-Hoey, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.

Fixtures:
8 August: Netherlands v Ireland; Scotland v Thailand
9 August: Netherlands vs Scotland; Ireland vs Thailand
10 August: Thailand vs Netherlands; Scotland vs Ireland
12 August: Thailand vs Scotland; Ireland vs Netherlands
13 August: Thailand vs Ireland; Scotland vs Netherlands
14 August: Ireland vs Scotland; Netherlands vs Thailand