As we immerse ourselves into yet another summer filled with blockbuster action, The Irish diva’s set date with The Windies Women as they tour the Caribbean later this June for 3 ODI’s and 3 T20Is. The women in green have a long schedule ahead as they are lined up to face the Southern Stars later at home and then travel to the Netherlands.
The girls have had an exemplary run in the last four years, they went on to beat the likes of South Africa, Aussies, Pakistan, and Zimbabwe. The Irish remain a young unit who have the potential to grow in abundance, all they need is the initial ignition to reap their prized rewards. ‘’Our top three players, Orla Prendergast, Gaby Lewis, and Amy Hunter are very young – the sky is the limit for them’’, Head coach Joyce said.
Prendergast, 21 made it to the team of the tournament after the 2023 world cup and amassed a century on her debut in the English County Cricket recently. Lewis has gone on to become a dominant scorer while Hunter became the youngest centurion in the international circuit during her sweet 16. Gaby has earned exposure in The Hundred while Jane Maguire’s sister Amy has huge potential hidden in her. All in all, the team is shaping up to be a well-balanced side as they continue to tick boxes in the various departments.
Ireland’s last meeting with West Indies in Cape Town during the 2023 World Cup left them gutted as they fell short by whiskers. However, the game was taken in the right spirit as players took positives from the game and marched forward.
Most recently Joyce added by saying, “West Indies are in a rebuilding phase and we definitely want to win a game or two out there and get some momentum. It will be interesting to see how the pitch plays in St Lucia – they haven’t played there much, but in men’s games it takes spin, which is not an area we’re strong in’’.
The Laura Delany-led team will look to play a fearful brand of cricket and notch up their game plans as the Caribbean heat is fast approaching. The preparations have long begun as the National team is involved in the inter-domestic Super Series played out between three teams, The Scorchers, Dragons, and Typhoons. Which will give visitors Ireland the much-needed match day simulation. They’ll look to start on a good note followed by multiple bilaterals in the coming months.