Cricket Ireland has officially named their 15-player squad for the highly anticipated ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, which kicks off this June across England and Wales. After the heartbreak of missing out on the 2024 edition, the Girls in Green are making a grand return to the world stage, and the excitement around the camp is palpable.
Stepping into the spotlight to lead the national team in a major tournament for the very first time is Gaby Lewis. She has been the undisputed anchor of Ireland’s batting lineup for years, and her stellar form—finishing as the top run-scorer in the Global Qualifier in Nepal with 276 runs—makes her the natural choice to captain this ambitious group. Backing her up as vice-captain is the immensely talented all-rounder Orla Prendergast, forming a dynamic young leadership duo.
The selectors have opted for an exciting blend of fearless youth and trusted experience. Five players will be making their tournament debuts on the big stage: Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Aimee Maguire, and Lara McBride. These fresh faces bring a sense of unpredictability and energy to the squad, proving that the domestic pathway is thriving and ready to feed talent straight into the highest level of international cricket. Despite the injection of new blood, Ireland’s core remains reassuringly solid.
The batting order features familiar powerhouse names like Amy Hunter and Leah Paul, who will be crucial in setting the tone at the top of the order. Meanwhile, the legendary Laura Delany—the former long-term captain and most-capped player in the country’s history—stands tall as the ultimate sounding board. The 33-year-old is on the cusp of a historic milestone, needing just a little more magic to become the first Irish woman to take 100 T20I wickets.
The tournament structure will test their mettle right from the jump. Ireland finds themselves placed in a fiercely competitive Group 2 alongside heavyweights like the defending champions New Zealand, hosts England, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, and neighboring rivals Scotland. It is a grueling schedule, but with a bowling unit featuring a firing Arlene Kelly—who dismantled batting lineups in the qualifiers—the Irish women will fancy their chances of causing an upset or two.
The journey begins on June 13 against Scotland at the historic Old Trafford in Manchester. With a well-balanced group that transitions smoothly from reliable veterans to eager teenagers, this feels like the dawn of a new era for Irish women’s cricket. Fans will be watching closely as this tight-knit squad heads across the Irish Sea to prove they truly belong among the world’s elite.
Ireland Women Squad for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026:
Gaby Lewis (C), Orla Prendergast (VC), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell
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