(Cricket news) Cricket Ireland has today announced a 14-player squad for Ireland Women’s T20 International series against Australia and Pakistan to be played at Bready Cricket Club from 16-24 July 2022, while a new national selection panel has been established for the senior women’s squad. Ireland Women will see the return of a number of high-profile players, after the recent six-match series against South Africa which saw eight players from the senior performance squad missing due to injuries or exams. Laura Delany and Orla Prendergast are both making a welcome return from injuries, while Ava Canning and Amy Hunter missed the previous series due to exam commitments.
Meanwhile, selector Cathy Murphy will be stepping down from her role effective immediately – advising her professional commitments are making it increasingly difficult to juggle a career with the growing demands of the role. A new national selection panel has been announced with Carrie Archer remaining as the Chair of National Women’s Selectors. Carrie will be joined by the three Arachas Super Series head coaches – Glenn Querl, James Cameron-Dow and Paul Davidge, with head coach Ed Joyce completing the new five-member panel.
Ireland Women’s T20I squad for Tri-Series:
Laura Delany (capt), Ava Canning, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell.
Carrie Archer, Chair of National Women’s Selectors, said: “We were pleased to see numerous strong performances during the recent South Africa series and, combined with the return of several players to the player pool after exams or injury, it has certainly made for several tough decisions on selection. However, these selection challenges only serve to underscore the positive fact that we are on the right track in the development of an increased talent pool to choose from in Ireland.
“Indeed, several players who missed out on this squad can consider themselves unfortunate, but certainly not out of contention for further opportunities, particularly in the lead up to T20 World Cup Qualifier in September. We have a lot to play for and a lot of players to see, especially with so many Super Series games ahead, as well as further internationals ahead of the tournament.”
On the new selector panel, she said: “We are pleased to welcome the three new members of the reconstituted national selectors panel with a busy period ahead for the women’s squad. We bid a fond farewell to Cathy Murphy as she steps down as a selector. Cathy has been an incredibly diligent and dedicated voluntary selector for several years and has been a key part of the selection team that has helped to identify talent and grow the talent pool across Ireland. Cathy has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role and her input and unique insights have been highly valued by the panel. Her contributions will be sorely missed. She will step away with pride at being part of the move to a new era for women’s cricket in Ireland.”
Women’s summer tri-series
16 July 2022: Australia Women v Pakistan Women – T20I (Bready; start time 4pm)
17 July 2022: Ireland Women v Australia Women – T20I (Bready; start time 4pm)
19 July 2022: Ireland Women v Pakistan Women – T20I (Bready; start time 4pm)
21 July 2022: Ireland Women v Australia Women – T20I (Bready; start time 4pm)
23 July 2022: Pakistan Women v Australia Women – T20I (Bready; start time 4pm)
24 July 2022: Ireland Women v Pakistan Women – T20I (Bready; start time 4pm)
TICKETS AND LIVESTREAM
Tickets are available to buy online at www.cricketireland.ie/tickets. Adults are £5, Under-16s free.
All matches will be livestreamed on www.livestream.com/CricketIrelandLive
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