While women face uncertain times in the pandemic, sporting activities have taken resumption. There are few exceptions though. Cricket Ireland has brought heartening updates though. In recent reports, Cricket Ireland has announced that extra contracts will be offered to senior women cricketers.
Details have revealed that seven part-time retainer contracts will be offered for 2021 for the women’s senior international team. Among those receiving the newly created contracts, Leah Paul makes way as a 21-year-old. She was the highest run-scorer in the super 50 series this year with a total of 295 runs. Her season average was 49.17. She was opening the innings with Gaby Lewis who was the second-highest run-scorer.
Not only with the bat, but she was also helpful with the ball as well. Her left-arm spin gives a great all-round option for the Irish side. It has to be noted that Cricket Ireland first brought central contracts in 2019. There were six part-timer retainer contracts in the offer too. More importantly, young cricketers have been at the receiving end of the non-retainer contracts. For more such latest and trending news around cricket, you must follow Parimatch News.
These include Amy Hunter who has been under the radar of selection from an early age. High-Performance Director of Ireland said that “We’re pleased that we have been able to further increase our contracts in the women’s game, despite the challenges that 2020 has brought us all”.
Richard Holdsworth further stated that “2021 will be a crucial year for Irish women’s cricket – with a 50-over World Cup Qualifier in the offing and the ICC Women’s Championship approaching, we must prepare the squad for the battles ahead and give them the best chance to succeed”.
Part-time retainer contracts have been offered to: Laura Delany, Shauna Kavanagh, Mary Waldron, Gaby Lewis, Celeste Raack, Orla Prendergast, Leah Paul.
Non-retainer contracts: Eimear Richardson, Lara Maritz, Hannah Little, Louise Little, Rebecca Stokell, Una Raymond-Hoey, Sophie MacMahon, Cara Murray, Georgina Dempsey, Rachel Delaney, Jane Maguire, Amy Hunter.
In times like these, financial uncertainties have been prevalent and efforts to spread stability are commendable. Ireland could not break it into the Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 event, but they will be keen to regroup, work on their weaknesses, and emerge as a strong side for the upcoming events. It would be interesting to see how this team performs in future ICC events.
A student who enjoys studying cricket more than anything else, keen to learn the insights of the women’s game.