Ireland's Louise McCarthy, Cara Murray return for Thailand Quadrangular series

Thailand will host Ireland, Netherland and Zimbabwe for a Quadrangular 50-over series in April 2020, it was announced on Monday (March 2). For the same, Ireland announced a 14-member squad. But they will travel to Ireland only after getting clearance from the hosts, the ICC, the government and the sports bodies owing to the recent outbreak of the coronavirus.

Louise McCarthy, who last played for Ireland in 2017, makes a comeback to the side while Orla Prendergast has been excluded from the squad which played the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, 2019. 19-year-old leg-spinner, Cara Murray also returns, having last played in 2018.

“This is an exciting young squad who are beginning to forge a new identity for itself, under the guidance of our experienced skipper Laura Delany,” said Ireland’s head coach Ed Joyce.

“The series will be important preparation for the upcoming 50-over World Cup Qualifier in July, in conditions that will not be too different to those we will face in Sri Lanka at that tournament. Six competitive matches in a condensed period will also be a good test for this young squad, mimicking what they will expect during the Qualifier.”

Kim Garth has opted out due to personal reasons and she will be missed, agreed Joyce, saying, “While she will be a big miss, it does provide an opportunity for another young player to step in and demonstrate their skills on the international stage, giving us a great opportunity to assess the squad ahead of the important World Cup Qualifier in July in Sri Lanka.”

“We are working closely with both Irish and British governments, as well as liaising with sporting authorities north and south, to ensure we are fully informed and confident that sending a squad to Thailand will be safe,” said Richard Holdsworth, Performance Director at Cricket Ireland.

Squad: Laura Delany (c), Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Lara Maritz, Louise McCarthy, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Celeste Raack, Una Raymond-Hoey, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.