In an exclusive candid chat with Vishal Yadav for FemaleCricket.com, 24-year-old Ireland opener and skipper Gaby Lewis reflects on guiding her side to second place in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifiers 2026, with 6 points from 5 games, 3 wins, and 2 losses. They’ve also secured a spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 from 12th June to 5th July in England and Wales.
As the tournament’s top run-scorer with 276 runs at a 119.48 strike rate and 39.42 average across 7 innings (including a half-century), Lewis embodies Ireland’s resurgence. Since her T20I debut at 13 against South Africa in 2014, she’s amassed 3,048 runs at 117.14 SR and 31.42 average in 112 innings (18 fifties, 2 tons), plus 3 wickets. In ODIs since 2016, it’s 1,866 runs at 69.60 SR and 32.73 average in 61 innings (15 fifties), with 10 wickets. Here’s her unfiltered take on scars healed, leadership forged, and World Cup dreams.
Gaby, firstly, many, many congratulations on the World Cup qualification. After missing out in 2024, now that Ireland has qualified as a captain, what was the emotion in the dressing room when the qualification was confirmed?
Gaby Lewis: Yeah, it was massive. I think after the last campaign, there were a lot of scars there from the girls, and I think going into qualifying tournaments, you can never underestimate any team. So yeah, we just wanted to replicate that performance against Holland (Netherlands), and I think we did that. It was just about how the girls went about it, and it was absolutely brilliant. So yeah, I’m obviously very happy.
And when Ireland qualified in 2023, the team couldn’t register a win. How much has that experience shaped the mindset of the group coming into 2026 now?
Gaby Lewis: We’ve come a long way over the last couple of years. Being involved in the Championship has been huge for us, playing against top nations consistently is only going to make you and the team better. So, yeah, we’ve got a busy summer ahead, and we’re really looking forward to it.
Gaby, you made your debut at the age of 13. Looking back now, do you feel you grew up quicker than most, both as a player and as a person?
Gaby Lewis: To be honest, I don’t really remember much of it when I was young. I would say I was quite mature from a young age, but yeah, I guess the girls looked after me a lot, and I really enjoyed it.
You’re also Ireland’s leading run-scorer in T20Is, the first Irish woman to score a T20 century, and with several 90s in ODIs. How do you personally balance consistency with the hunger for big milestones?
Gaby Lewis: I guess all I want to do is do well for the team, and I think the personal milestones are great, but they’re not something that maybe are in my mind. I just want to put in match-winning performances for Ireland, and that’s always been my main goal and that’ll continue to be, in the future.
You became a permanent captain in October ’24 after stand-in stints against South Africa and England. Did those experiences prepare you for leadership?
Gaby Lewis: Yeah, ofcourse. Any experience captaining makes it easier and easier. But obviously, I captained a bit of domestic stuff, which was great. But yeah, having the role model of Laura (Delany) and learning consistently from her when I was vice captain was great. I’m really enjoying it at the moment.
You talked about Laura Delany. How important has her experience been for you as a young captain, especially in pressured ICC events?
Gaby Lewis: Yeah, having Laura Delany in the dressing room has been massive for us. Obviously, she’s been through a lot with Irish cricket and has so much experience. So, yeah, just bouncing ideas off and having her consistent knowledge there, and she’s always willing to share, which has been huge for the squad.
You come from a family deeply connected to Irish cricket. Does that legacy add pressure, or has it always been a source of strength?
Gaby Lewis: Yeah, I guess a source of strength. You have the knowledge back home and constant support from my parents and my sister as well. It’s never been a pushy thing for us. I think it was just do what you love, and that’s what I did. I absolutely love playing for Ireland, and hopefully that love continues.
Ireland has never won a match at the T20 World Cup so far. What does this team need to do differently in 2026 to change that narrative?
Gaby Lewis: Yeah, I think it’s just in those pressurised situations. I think we definitely got ourselves into winning moments in previous World Cups, but we just didn’t convert. So I think, you know, going back, having the confidence from this qualifying tournament as well, there have been sometimes where we’ve been under the pump, and we’ve come out on top, which has been brilliant. I think, just having those experiences and sticking to our plans, and I think, yeah, we’re ready to cause some upsets at the 2026 World Cup.
How ready do you think the group is mentally to take on teams like Australia, India, and England?
Gaby Lewis: Definitely. We obviously, having the benefit of the Championship and beating top nations in that, will stand us in good stead for the future. Obviously, our main focus has been on the qualifiers, but yeah, some time off and then switch all our focus to this summer. We’ve got a tri-series against Pakistan and the West Indies, and then all eyes will be on the World Cup.
When your captaincy is looked back on years later, what do you hope it represents for Irish women’s cricket?
Gaby Lewis: I guess just always taking the game forward. I think if I can leave the place in a better position than when I came in, I’ve done my job.
Many Irish players watch the WPL closely. As a captain and batter, what attracts you most? And if expanding, which team would you pick? Any message for franchise owners on associate players?
Gaby Lewis: I guess all franchise tournaments are great to watch. I think especially with the WPL, there’s obviously a massive attraction there. We’ve all watched it every evening, which has been good. But yeah, I guess there’s been some amazing scores and some amazing performances from individuals. So, it’s been great to watch. To be honest, I’d take any team! There are obviously a couple of (associate nations) girls who have played in it. But yeah, I guess the more players you can get involved in the tournament, the better.
Lewis’s passion shines through from healing qualification scars to eyeing World Cup upsets, her team-first drive and family-fueled resolve position Ireland for a bold 2026. “I absolutely love playing for Ireland,” she says, words that echo a rising force in women’s cricket.
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