Two enforced changes to Ireland Women squad for Netherlands tour amid injury concerns

Selectors have been forced to make two changes due to injury to the Ireland Women’s squad travelling to the Netherlands for a three-match one-day international series against Netherlands Women from 22-26 August 2022. Ava Canning and Jane Maguire have both been forced to withdraw with injuries sustained in the last week, while Louise Little and Kate McEvoy have been called up as replacements.

Little, 19, made her international debut in 2017 and has played six ODIs and 10 T20Is. The hard-hitting top-order batter and the fast-medium bowler is the sister of Irish internationals Josh Little and Hannah Little. She last featured for Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup European Qualifiers in 2021. McEvoy, 20, was named for the first time in a senior Irish squad in 2022. A swing bowler who often opens for the Dragons in the Arachas Super Series, she is in line for her international debut if selected.

Ireland Women’s squad

Laura Delany (capt), Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Kate McEvoy, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Mary Waldron

The fixtures are:

Monday 22 August: Netherlands Women v Ireland Women, 1st ODI (VRA Amstelveen)
Wednesday 24 August: Netherlands Women v Ireland Women, 2nd ODI (VRA Amstelveen)
Friday 26 August: Netherlands Women v Ireland Women, 3rd ODI (VCC Voorburg)

It is anticipated that the matches will be live-streamed, with confirmation of details to be made in due course.

The Ireland Women will take on Pakistan Women for a three-match ODI series and three-match T20I series in the month of November and they have been quite keen on providing international challenges to the side. The Laura Delaney-led side hosted a tri-nation T20I series featuring Australia and Pakistan last month and could not secure any victory in the series.

However, the Ireland Women will be looking to put up a strong performance in the upcoming assignment against the Netherlands which is expected to be an even contest between the nations.