Ireland team announced for the ICC Women's WT20 Global Qualifier

Ireland cricket board today announced the squad for the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 Global Qualifiers. There is an added responsibility on them as they are one of the front-runners to qualify for the mega event. Bangladesh and UAE will give a tough challenge to Ireland.

Ireland cricket board has left no stone unturned for the mega event. They will play a number of challenging matches against New Zealand and Bangladesh before the start of the Qualifiers. The series will help them to test their skill sets and character which will push them on to better things.

As Qualifiers head up, Ireland Cricket Board has announced the squad that will represent Ireland at the upcoming ICC Women’s WT20 Global Qualifiers to be played in the Netherlands. The Qualifiers will take place from July 7-14, 2018.

Ireland is drawn into Group B which will see them compete against Scotland, Uganda, and Thailand. The team includes 14 members with Laura Delany leading the squad. The players are a blend of youth and experience which have been selected in the squad. It will not be an easy job for Ireland. They will have to rub their shoulders hard to get the qualification for the Mega Tournament.

Aaron Hamilton, National Women’s Head Coach and Performance Pathway Manager is quite confident about the team performing well in the near future. “The upcoming New Zealand and Bangladesh games will really let us put a marker down. We had a good, albeit rain-affected, tour of Zimbabwe in February and there have certainly been some eye-catching performances in the Toyota Super 3’s competition to date.”

“The selectors have continued with their policy of bringing new talent through, but ensuring the more experienced players are still on hand to provide support and advice.” He further said, “The White Ferns are in ominous form and will be a force to be reckoned with – but, as a coach, that’s the level and standard you want your team playing against. To take on one of the world’s best teams is a test of skill and character and will push this team on to better things.”

Ireland captain Laura Delany said, “It’s a big year for women’s cricket in Ireland, and one which the women’s senior squad are relishing. There is nothing better than taking on some of the world’s best teams in front of home supporters.”

She further added, “The White Ferns and the Bangladeshis provide contrasting challenges for us, but with the blend of youth and experience which have been selected across these squads, we should be in a good position ahead of the all-important Women’s World T20 Qualifier tournament in July.”

 

Ireland Squad:

Laura Delany (C),  Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Ciara Metcalfe, Cara Murray, Lucy O’Reilly, Eimear Richardson, Clare Shillington, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron