Ireland will head into the second edition of the ICC Women’s Emerging Nations Trophy in the United Arab Emirates with a blend of ambition, opportunity and youthful optimism. Running from 12 to 25 November, the expanded 10-team tournament brings together five Full Member nations, Ireland, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Pakistan, and five Associate sides in Papua New Guinea, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Thailand. For Ireland, it is a chance to turn a relatively inexperienced squad into a competitive force on a significant international stage.
Ireland arrive in the UAE without star all-rounder Orla Prendergast, who is plying her trade with the Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League. Her absence is undoubtedly a loss: Prendergast is ranked No. 5 among T20I all-rounders in Australia and has been one of Ireland’s most influential players in recent years. Yet rather than dampening expectations, it has opened the door for emerging talent to stake a claim.
Among those handed opportunities are Abbi Harrison and Zara Craig, called up on the strength of impressive performances at recent editions of the ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup. Their inclusion reflects Ireland’s growing depth and the selectors’ willingness to invest in the next generation. Experienced figures such as Laura Delany and Lara Maritz will provide crucial balance, while Amy Hunter steps into the vice-captaincy role to support regular skipper Gaby Lewis.
Hunter is clear that the absence of a household name does not alter Ireland’s ambitions. “It is a relatively inexperienced squad, but that presents some pretty cool opportunities,” she told Cricket Ireland. “I think to be able to call on the likes of Laura Delany and Lara Maritz into the team, it demonstrates the depth that we have.”
For Hunter, the tournament is also a chance for players to make their mark. “We also have some possible debutants as well. So it just presents opportunities for different players to perform under pressure and really put their hands up in future to get their name on the shirt,” she said. Her message on expectations is equally direct: “In terms of goals, I don’t think that really ever changes for us as a team. Every game we go into, we look to compete as best we can and ultimately win, so that will still be our goal for this tournament.”
Ireland have been drawn in Group A alongside Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Scotland and the UAE. Their task is straightforward: finish in the top three of the group to qualify for the Super Six phase. With Sri Lanka representing a formidable opening opponent, Ireland will need to start strongly when the two sides meet on Thursday, 12 November, the opening day of the tournament.
The event also marks Hunter’s return to T20 international cricket since she featured in five matches for Ireland at the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales from 12 June to 5 July 2026. She is eager to rediscover the rhythm of the shortest format after a summer dominated by One-Day cricket.
“I can’t wait to get going again in T20 cricket,” Hunter said. “We’ve had a bit of a break from it now, since the (T20) World Cup in June. It felt like we played a lot of it in the run-up to that tournament, but afterwards, we had a pretty heavy One-Day cricket summer, so it will be good to get going again.”
Ireland’s most recent competitive outing came in September, when they suffered a 3-0 series defeat in a three-match ODI series. That result will sting, but Hunter believes there is momentum to build on from the World Cup. “We had a big win against the West Indies in that last game of the (T20) World Cup, so hopefully we can carry that momentum into the Emerging Nations,” she said.
Without Prendergast, Ireland’s challenge is greater, but so is the opportunity. If Hunter, Lewis and the emerging cohort can combine early, Ireland may well prove that depth, not star power, defines their campaign in the UAE.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Press Release)
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