'Can’t wait to test ourselves against high-quality opposition' - Ireland-W U19 skipper Amy Hunter ahead of South Africa T20Is

Ireland Under-19s Women’s captain, Amy Hunter, spoke from the team hotel ahead of the upcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa Under-19s Women starting on Monday, 28 October 2024.

The series is an important part of the squad’s build-up to the 2025 ICC Under-19s Women’s T20 World Cup to be held in Malaysia from January 18 to February 2. This trip to South Africa is also the first time the Ireland Under-19s Women’s side has toured a full member nation for a bilateral series. 

“The girls are really excited to get going in South Africa off the back of a really productive training block. Playing against a team of the quality of South Africa Under-19s Women will be an exciting challenge and I know that we can’t wait to test ourselves against high quality opposition,” Hunter said. 

“While young, we have plenty of players with experience at this level. I am one of around ten players who played at the last Under-19s Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa [in 2023]. This is invaluable as we have played on the pitches previously and will hopefully be able to adapt to conditions quickly.

“We were last playing together as a squad at the Student Games at Loughborough University in England back in August. That was an extremely valuable experience – we spent time as a group, getting more competitive games under our belt and building our plans for the Under-19 World Cup in January.

“Prep for the World Cup is going well. We are just off the back of a really productive training block after a short period of time off at the end of the season. The girls are working incredibly hard on all aspects of their game, whether that be skills, gym or conditioning. There is a really good vibe around the group and we just can’t wait to get going.”  

South Africa U-19 Women v Ireland U-19 Women Fixtures

28 October 2024: South Africa U-19 Women v Ireland U-19 Women (1st T20I; Groenkloof Oval, start 9:30am*)

28 October 2024: South Africa U-19 Women v Ireland U-19 Women (2nd T20I; Groenkloof Oval, start 2:00pm*).

30 October 2024: South Africa U-19 Women v Ireland U-19 Women (3rd T20I; Groenkloof Oval, start 2:00pm*).

1 November 2024: South Africa U-19 Women v Ireland U-19 Women (4th T20I; Groenkloof Oval, start 9:30am*).

1 November 2024: South Africa U-19 Women v Ireland U-19 Women (5th T20I; Groenkloof Oval, start 2:00pm*)

*Time local to ground

Ireland U-19 Women Squad

Amy Hunter (c), Abbi Harrison, Niamh MacNulty, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Ellie McGee, Julie McNally, Lucy Neely, Freya Sargent, Millie Spence, Annabel Squires, Alice Tector, Alice Walsh