Ireland captain Gaby Lewis believes this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England presents a unique opportunity for her side to enjoy strong backing from travelling supporters, while also inspiring a new generation of young cricketers across Ireland.
Ireland secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup on the final day of the Global Qualifier in February, booking their place at the tournament for the first time since 2023. The competition will mark Ireland’s fifth appearance at a Women’s T20 World Cup and Lewis’ first as captain.
In her ICC column, Lewis reflected on the significance of playing a major global tournament so close to home, Ireland’s preparations for the event, the development of a young squad and the growing investment in women’s cricket. “The fact the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is in England this year is a really exciting prospect. Having the competition so close to home is going to be really special, and it will be great to see as many fans as possible at all of the matches,” Lewis wrote.
The Ireland skipper noted that major tournaments are often held far from home, limiting the number of supporters who can attend. This year, however, she expects a significant Irish presence in the stands and hopes it will inspire young girls who dream of representing their country in the future. “Often, when you play at World Cups, they are further afield and it’s the hosts or the opposition that brings the fans to the stadiums. So, on this occasion, it will be nice to have a lot of Irish people travelling and a lot of young kids and girls supporting, who I hope have ambitions to one day play for the team,” she said.
Ireland head into the tournament after a productive preparation period that included a home tri-series against Pakistan and the West Indies. Lewis described the series as ideal preparation and expressed confidence in the squad despite the absence of experienced all-rounder Laura Delany. She also highlighted the arrival of Alice Tector and praised a number of younger players who have emerged in recent seasons.
According to Lewis, Ireland’s strength lies in the depth of talent available rather than relying on a handful of key players. She singled out Aimee Maguire, Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter among several players capable of making decisive contributions during the tournament. “There are a lot of players to look out for in our squad, and we’ve got some great youngsters. Aimee Maguire has been brilliant for us over the last couple of years, and you can’t pass over the likes of Orla Prendergast and Amy Hunter as well. We don’t rely on one or two players though; we’ve got a real group of match-winners. There’ll be a lot of players putting their hands up in this World Cup and winning games,” Lewis wrote.
The 24-year-old also reflected on how the squad has matured over recent years. While Ireland does not have the extensive provincial structures available in some other cricketing nations, she believes the players have learned quickly through exposure to international cricket and are now better equipped to compete at the highest level.
Lewis said one of the greatest attractions of World Cups is the opportunity to face elite opposition in a condensed period, with global attention focused on every result. “My favourite thing about playing in a World Cup is getting the opportunity to play against top nations in a short period of time. There are huge eyes on the tournament as well, and that is great. If you can turn over a few teams, you’re in the spotlight,” she said.
Lewis also welcomed the increased prize money on offer at this year’s tournament, describing it as a positive sign for the continued growth of women’s cricket. However, she stressed that Ireland’s primary focus remains firmly on delivering results on the field.
Ireland have been drawn in Group 2 alongside hosts England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Scotland. Their campaign begins against Scotland at Old Trafford in Manchester on June 13 as Lewis and her young squad look to make an impact at the biggest stage.
(Quotes sourced from Gaby Lewis’ ICC column)
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