Ireland women’s cricket team, under the leadership of Laura Delany, is gearing up for an exciting white-ball series against Sri Lanka, starting 11 August. The series will feature two T20 Internationals (T20Is) followed by three One Day Internationals (ODIs), with the latter being a crucial part of the ICC Women’s Championship.
As the team prepares to showcase their skills, Delany expressed confidence in their ability to perform at a high level. She believes that the progress made over the past 12 to 18 months will be evident in their upcoming matches. “We’ve seen significant improvements as a squad, and we’re excited to put those advancements into practice,” Delany said.
Despite a setback earlier this year when Ireland failed to qualify for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 after a loss to Scotland in the qualifiers, Delany remains optimistic. She sees the team’s aggressive and fearless approach as a long-term asset. “Our style of play, although sometimes risky, has proven successful in the past. We’ve beaten teams like Australia in World Cup warm-ups and secured series wins against South Africa and Pakistan,” she noted.
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Looking ahead to the series, Delany is well aware of the challenges posed by Sri Lanka. Key player Chamari Athapaththu, who has been a standout performer for Sri Lanka, will be absent for the T20Is due to her commitments with the Oval Invincibles in The Hundred. However, she will join the Sri Lanka squad for the ODIs. Delany acknowledges Athapaththu’s impact but also notes the depth of Sri Lanka’s batting lineup. “While Chamari Athapaththu is a significant player for them, we’ve observed that their team has multiple contributors,” she said. “We expect a competitive and challenging series.”
As Ireland prepares for their encounter with Sri Lanka, Delany’s focus remains on sticking to their strengths and playing with the aggressive style that has defined their recent performances. The upcoming series represents a crucial opportunity for Ireland to demonstrate their growth in international cricket.