Ireland Women have announced their 14-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against England. The series will be an important challenge for Ireland as the team continues its campaign in the ICC Women’s Championship 2025–29.
Gaby Lewis will captain the Ireland side. The squad includes the return of experienced players Arlene Kelly and Alice Tector, who have recovered from injuries. Kia McCartney has also kept her place in the team.
The full Ireland squad is Gaby Lewis (captain), Christina Coulter Reilly, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell and Alice Tector.
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However, Ireland will be without Aimee Maguire, Sarah Forbes and Ava Canning because of injuries. Their absence will reduce the team’s options, but the return of Kelly and Tector gives Ireland more experience and depth ahead of the England series.
Ireland will begin the tour with a warm-up match against an ECB Development XI on August 29 at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester. This game will give the players an opportunity to prepare for the three official ODIs.
The first ODI against England will be played in Leicester on September 1. The second match will take place at The OurCoop County Ground in Derby on September 3. The final ODI will be played at New Road in Worcester on September 6.
The three matches are part of the ICC Women’s Championship. The competition is important for Ireland because it provides regular ODI matches against some of the strongest teams in international cricket. It also gives Irish players valuable experience at the highest level.
Ireland will enter the series looking to improve after a difficult ODI series against the West Indies last month. Ireland lost all three matches in that series, but the games gave several players important experience against a strong international team.
Ireland National Women’s Selector Lauren Rowles said there is strong competition for places in the team. She also believes there is promising young talent coming through the Irish system.
Rowles explained that competition for places can help players improve because they know they must perform well when given an opportunity. She said the selection process is not based only on recent form. The team also needs players who can understand their roles and perform according to the team’s plans.
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The selector also stressed the importance of the ICC Women’s Championship. According to Rowles, playing regularly against the best teams helps Ireland’s players gain experience and become more competitive at international level.
The England series will therefore be an important test for Ireland. England are one of the leading teams in women’s cricket, while Ireland are continuing to build a stronger and more competitive squad.
With Gaby Lewis leading the team and Arlene Kelly and Alice Tector returning from injury, Ireland will hope to produce a strong performance in England. The three ODIs will give the players another chance to gain valuable experience, compete for important Championship points and continue developing as an international team.
Ireland Women’s tour schedule:
- August 29: Ireland Women vs ECB Development XI – Warm-up, Leicester
- September 1: England Women vs Ireland Women – 1st ODI, Leicester
- September 3: England Women vs Ireland Women – 2nd ODI, Derby
- September 6: England Women vs Ireland Women – 3rd ODI, Worcester
The series will be Ireland’s first set of matches in the new ICC Women’s Championship cycle and will provide an important opportunity for the team to test itself against England.