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Rebecca Stokell keen to get back amongst runs against Netherlands

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Women's CricZone Staff
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Rebecca Stokell keen to get back amongst runs against Netherlands

Rebecca Stokell © Cricket Ireland

Ireland batter Rebecca Stokell is excited to be back in national colours in the upcoming four-match T20I series against the Netherlands that is scheduled to begin on Monday (July 26).

Speaking ahead of the series, Stokell said that she is thrilled to play cricket in front of a home crowd again. “I can’t wait to play out in Malahide next week, I’ve always loved playing there, and the fact we can have spectators is definitely an added bonus," she said on Saturday (July 24).

"We haven’t played a series in Dublin for two years now, so hopefully, we get a good crowd in for some competitive and exciting games.”

 Ireland were back in the action against Scotland in May after a long break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They won the four-match T20I series 3-1. Stokell did not have a great series, scoring 34 runs from four innings, but she was delighted to be back on the cricket field.

ALSO READ: Ireland start favourites against Netherlands with European Qualifiers in sight

“It was so exciting to finally get back onto the field with all the girls in an Irish jersey back in May against Scotland. It was a long winter, with quite a few disappointments due to COVID, so to finally play a series against decent opposition in front of a home crowd was an unbelievable feeling.”

 Stokell felt that she was not at her best in the recently concluded Super Series. However, she is determined to compensate with performances in the series against the Netherlands and carry on the form into the European Qualifiers.

“It is so good to get a series in before we go to the European T20 Qualifiers next month. It is a great time for all of us to do things we have been working on in training before we head to Spain," she said.

 "We are likely to come up against Holland and possibly Scotland, so having played them both at home this summer will give us great confidence going into those games later in the summer.”

On the growth of women's cricket in Ireland, Stokell said that she is happy to be a part of the progress and added: "Several part-time contracts have been introduced in the last couple of years which is such an exciting prospect for me, going forward.”

 “Also, the Super Series is improving year on year. I was involved in the very first season it began, a good few years back, and the standard has increased hugely, meaning the step up into international cricket is a little less daunting.”

ALSO READ: Lara Maritz feels Netherlands series key for Ireland's European Qualifiers' preparation

Ireland squad for Netherlands series: 

Laura Delany (c), Ava Canning, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Sophie MacMahon, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron. COVID reserve: Amy Hunter.
Laura Delany Rachel Delaney Shauna Kavanagh Rebecca Stokell Ava Canning Netherlands tour of Ireland, 2021 Georgina Dempsey Ireland v Netherlands
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