Cricket Ireland has announced their squad for the upcoming five-match series, including two T20Is and three ODIs,  against England Women, set to unfold next month in Ireland.

The ODI series will take place at Stormont, with matches scheduled on the 7th, 9th, and 11th. Following the ODIs, the teams will shift to Clontarf for the T20I series, with the first match on the 14th and the second on the 15th. This series offers a significant opportunity for Ireland to compete against a top-tier team like England on home soil.

Gaby Lewis takes over captaincy 

With regular captain Laura Delany sidelined due to an unfortunate ankle injury, the leadership baton has been passed to Gaby Lewis. Lewis, who herself was recovering from a quad strain sustained during the recent Sri Lanka series, is making a timely return to the squad. Her appointment as captain in such a pivotal series underscores her importance to the team, both as a leader and a key player. Lewis’s return is seen as a crucial boost, especially considering the challenge posed by a formidable England side.

Momentum from historic Sri Lanka series victory

Ireland will enter this series riding high on the back of a historic triumph over Sri Lanka, where they secured a 2-1 victory in the ODI series and held their own in the T20I series with a 1-1 draw. This success marked a significant milestone for Irish women’s cricket, highlighting their growing competitiveness on the international stage. The selectors, recognizing the importance of building on this momentum, have retained the core group of players who played pivotal roles in that series.

High stakes in the ICC Women’s Championship

The three-match ODI series against England is more than just a contest between two teams; it is a crucial component of the ICC Women’s Championship. Currently, Ireland finds itself at the bottom of the standings, languishing in 10th place with just two wins from 15 matches. This series presents a golden opportunity for Ireland to make significant strides in the championship and improve their standings. The return of Gaby Lewis, coupled with the team’s recent positive performances, injects a sense of optimism that Ireland can defy the odds and rise up the rankings.

Fitness boosts and squad updates

The squad announcement also brought good news on the fitness front. Alice Tector, who made an impressive debut against Sri Lanka, has been retained, affirming her potential as a future star for Ireland. Additionally, Una Raymond-Hoey, who made a much-anticipated return to the national setup after a four-year hiatus, is now fully fit after being sidelined due to injury. Her availability adds depth and experience to the squad, which will be crucial as Ireland looks to improve its dismal record against England, where they have managed just one win in 17 ODIs.

Ireland Women’s ODI squad against England:

Gaby Lewis (c), Alana Dalzell, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Joanna Loughran, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond-Hoey, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector.

Ireland Women’s T20I squad against England:

Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond-Hoey, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector.

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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