Ireland have announced a 14-player squad for their upcoming three-match ODI series against England, part of the ICC Women’s Championship 2025–29 cycle, with captain Gaby Lewis leading a side eager to rebound from a 3-0 whitewash against the West Indies in July.
Named by Ireland National Women’s Selector Lauren Rowles, the squad features the welcome returns of Arlene Kelly and Alice Tector, both back after injury layoffs, while Kia McCartney retains her place as a key spin option. Absent through injury are Aimee Maguire, Sarah Forbes, and Ava Canning.
Rowles emphasised the competitive environment within the squad and the developmental value of the Championship. “There is real competition for places in the short-term, and there is an exciting depth of talent coming through the pipeline which is promising for the medium-to-long term,” she said.
Highlighting the importance of regular fixtures against top sides, Rowles added, “That’s why the ICC Women’s Championship is so important. It provides a regular programme of fixtures against the world’s best sides, which in turn benefits the development and competitiveness of our players.”
Currently ninth in the ICC Women’s Championship standings, Ireland will be buoyed by the form of Amy Hunter, who amassed 193 runs at an average of 64.33 in the recent ODI series against the West Indies. Hunter’s consistency at the top of the order will be crucial as Ireland look to post competitive totals against an England side led by stand-in skipper Charlie Dean.
Captain Gaby Lewis, a stalwart of Irish women’s cricket, will be tasked with marshalling her troops across three venues in England. Her experience and leadership will be vital as Ireland aim to secure their first Championship points of the cycle against a higher-ranked opponent.
Ireland registered a memorable win the last time these two sides were up against each other in the ODI series.
1st ODI – 1 September, Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
2nd ODI – 3 September, The OurCoop County Ground, Derby
3rd ODI – 6 September, New Road, Worcester
After a disappointing outcome against the West Indies, Ireland’s squad selection reflects both continuity and cautious optimism. With key players returning from injury and a clear emphasis on competition for places, the team is poised to challenge England in a series that carries significant weight for their Championship aspirations.
As Rowles noted, the stakes are high, but so is the talent within the Irish camp, a combination that could make this series a turning point in their 2025–29 campaign.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Official Press Release)
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