In the lead-up to the 10th edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, hosted by England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026, Ireland’s dynamic 23-year-old all-rounder Orla Prendergast stands as a beacon of the sport’s surging momentum.
Since her T20I debut against the Netherlands on August 8, 2019, in Deventer, Prendergast has amassed 1,744 runs in 75 innings at a strike rate of 120.77 and an average of 28.59, including 11 half-centuries across 80 matches, while snaring 60 wickets in 66 innings at an average of 19.40 and an economy of 5.67, highlighted by a four-wicket haul.
Her starring role in Ireland’s qualification via the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal, scoring 145 runs at 116.93 strike rate and 24.16 average (with a half-century) in 7 innings, plus 6 wickets at 18 average and 4.69 economy, earned her three Player of the Match awards. Now eyeing a near-home tournament with 12 teams for the first time, Prendergast believes it will elevate women’s cricket globally.
“This World Cup can absolutely take the women’s game to another level, without a doubt,” Prendergast enthused, reflecting on the growth fueled by last year’s 50-over World Cup in India and booming franchise leagues. For Ireland, securing a spot by finishing second in the Super 6 stage with 6 points from 5 games, including 3 victories and a couple of defeats, marks a milestone, especially with four T20I caps already from the 2023 T20 World Cup event.
“Back home in Ireland, for girls to see us qualifying for a World Cup and going across to England to play against the best teams in the world, it will only help grow the game and encourage more girls to start playing,” she added.
The event’s expansion to include four European sides, Ireland, Scotland, and debutants the Netherlands via the qualifier route, alongside hosts England, promises richer rivalries. “We spoke about it after we qualified, and three European teams (coming through the Qualifier) is very exciting. Lots of Dutch and Scottish girls, playing more regularly against each other, can only help.”
Orla Prendergast’s Qualifier heroics, like 3/13 against the Netherlands, 56 vs. Papua New Guinea, and 39* against Namibia, underscore her match-winning prowess. She credits a solid winter training block and a tough tour to South Africa against a top side.
“I’m absolutely happy with where my game is at. What most players are trying to do is stand up in big games and tough situations for their team, and I was happy to be able to do that at times,” she said. With groups set, Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa; Group B: England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, the qualifiers’ placements remain pending, but Prendergast is unfazed.
“I’d be excited to play against a few of the Aussie girls. Ellyse Perry was my idol growing up, so it would be cool to play against her. England comes to mind, with the Irish rivalry. That would be an exciting game to be part of.”
“It’s such an exciting time to be a female cricketer,” Prendergast concluded, her 80 T20I caps belying her youth. As Ireland prepares for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup from 12th June, her blend of skill, form, and vision positions her and the sport for a transformative World Cup campaign for the sides involved in the tournament.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Press Release)
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