Ireland Women announce 17-member squad for Zimbabwe tour

DUBLIN – Selectors have named a 17-player squad for upcoming Ireland Women’s tour of Zimbabwe in January – the eight-match multi-format series heralds the start of a busy year for the senior women’s squad with a potential T20 World Cup appearance in late 2024. 

The tour is the first time Ireland Women will return to the southern African nation since its convincing 3-1 ODI series win in October 2021 during which Amy Hunter hit 121* on her 16^th birthday to become the youngest-ever centurion in ODI cricket.

Laura Delany, Ireland Women’s most-capped player, will once again lead the side.

The squad departs Dublin on 12 January 2024.

THE SQUAD

• Laura Delany (capt), Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes*, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little**, Joanna Loughran, Sophie MacMahon**, Jane Maguire*, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell.

* ODI series only

               ** T20I series only

Coaching and Support staff::

Ed Joyce (Head Coach), Glenn Querl (Assistant Coach), Catherine Simpson (Physiotherapist), Jay Shelat (Analyst), Calum Burdett (Strength & Conditioning), Beth Healy (Team Operations Manager)

TOUR SCHEDULE

• 18 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (1^st ODI)
• 21 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (2^nd ODI)
• 23 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (3^rd ODI)
• 26 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (1^st T20I)
• 28 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (2^nd T20I)
• 30 January: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (3^rd T20I)
• 1 February: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (4^th T20I)
• 2 February: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women (5^th T20I)

* Venues and start times TBA

Ciara O’Brien, Selector for Ireland Women, said:

“This tour marks the start of a big 12 months for the senior squad, with a busy home and away schedule planned and the potential of a T20 World Cup towards the back end of the year. As such, the Zimbabwe series is a crucial part of our preparations and it is always a competitive challenge when these sides meet.

“While still a young squad, the players have pleasingly had a large volume of competitive cricket in the last two years. As a point in case, Arlene Kelly made her international debut 18 months ago and is already closing in on her 50^th cap. But it isn’t just the volume of cricket that has been beneficial to the squad, it’s been the quality of our opposition and the experience of playing in varying conditions that has built up a confidence, resilience and adaptability amongst the playing group. 

“We look forward to getting 2024 underway and I know the players are keen to get going after what will be a two-month break since the Scotland series.”