Online Reporter
IRELAND have announced both their One Day Internationals and Twenty20 International women’s cricket squads for the upcoming series against Zimbabwe, scheduled to take place in Dublin later this month.
The Irish are set to face the Lady Chevrons in a series comprising three T20Is and two ODIs.
Gaby Lewis will captain both the T20I and ODI squads, with Orla Prendergast named as her deputy.
Nineteen-year-old Lara McBride has earned her maiden senior call-up into the Ireland team.
The young right-arm off-spinner, who represented Ireland at the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January earlier this year, impressed selectors with her performances in the Evoke Super Series to secure her spot in the squad.
The series will kick off on July 20 with the first of three T20Is, all of which will be held at Pembroke Cricket Club.
The T20Is will be followed by two ODIs, set to be played at Stormont.
Ciara O’Brien, National Women’s Selector, described the upcoming series as an important one as Ireland build to-wards next year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
“These matches against Zimbabwe — followed by the T20I series against Pakistan – are a crucial lead-in to the all-important T20 World Cup Qualifier in late August,” she said.
“It has been great to see a first call-up for Lara McBride who has been working hard on her game, and the upcom-ing series is also Lloyd Tennant’s first matches as head coach, so we wish Lloyd and the squad well.”
Tennant, who succeeded Ed Joyce as the head coach of Ireland women’s team, mapped out the objectives that he wants to achieve in the coming days and said:
“I’m very much looking forward to this upcoming series — my aim during the next few weeks and months is to build on the strong foundations already in place, but where possible, look to move our game forward.”
“I’ve had a very warm welcome since arriving — and watched some very competitive action in the Super Series – there is plenty of incredibly talented players here in Ireland to work with, and I’m looking forward to seeing how we can progress further over coming years,” Tennant added.
Ireland boast a stellar record in T20Is against Zimbabwe, having won all seven encounters between the two sides.
Their dominance extends to ODIs as well, with Ireland winning six out of eight matches, while one ended in a tie.
Ireland T20I squad v Zimbabwe
Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Laura Delany, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, and Rebecca Stokell.
Ireland ODI squad v Zimbabwe
Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, and Orla Prendergast. — icc-cricket.com
