Ireland announce squad for ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025

A 15-player Ireland Women's squad has been selected for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup qualifier tournament, which will take place from April 5 to 18 in Pakistan. Sophie MacMahon and Louise Little are set to return while Amy Hunter comes back as well to bolster the batting strength.

This qualifier tournament is a six-team event in round-robin format. The top two teams will then qualify for the 2025 ICC Women's Cricket World Cup to be played in September 2025.

Ireland Women will leave on March 28 for a training camp in Dubai. They will then travel to Pakistan on April 4 with warm-up fixtures scheduled against West Indies Women and Thailand Women.  

Ed Joyce, Ireland Women's Head Coach, said: “This tournament will be a great challenge for testing the depth of the senior squad, while we manage a number of player injuries that have been sustained over the last several months. Given the volume of matches and upcoming tournaments, there is a need to develop a wider talent pool of players ready to step up and cope with the demands of international cricket. 

"Among the changes there are a number of players who have performed well at domestic level in the last 12 months. Hopefully, they will take their chances and provide a selection headache for future squads. Coleraine finger-spinner Kia McCartney is coming in for her first senior tour, and leg-spinner Cara Murray will also be returning - both these players will play a key role in a country where spin bowling will be important. Additionally, Sophie MacMahon and Louise Little will also return after missing out on recent squads, and Amy Hunter returns from injury providing a great boost to our batting strength.

"Due to the nature of the competition, it’s going to be a whole-of-squad effort to get through this qualifier, with five 50-over matches and two warm-up games against quality opponents in a short space of time," he said.

Ireland’s Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Squad

Gaby Lewis (c), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast (vice-captain)

Ireland’s Women's Cricket World Cup Qualifier Schedule

• 5 April 2025: Ireland vs West Indies - Gaddafi Stadium (first warm up game) 14:00PM
• 7 April 2025: Ireland vs Thailand - LCCA (second warm up game) 9:30AM
• 9 April 2025: Ireland vs Pakistan - Gaddafi Stadium 9:30AM
• 11 April 2025: Ireland vs West Indies - Gaddafi Stadium 9:30AM
• 13 April 2025: Ireland vs Bangladesh - Gaddafi Stadium 14:00PM 
• 15 April 2025: Ireland vs Thailand - LCCA 9:30AM
• 18 April 2025: Ireland vs Scotland Gaddafi Stadium 14:00PM