PRENDERGAST: ICC WOMEN’S T20 WORLD CUP 2026 WILL TAKE GAME TO NEW HEIGHTS
Media release
Orla Prendergast believes the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England has the potential to take women’s cricket to new heights.
The tournament, which gets underway in June, will feature 12 teams for the first time, with Ireland coming through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2026 in Nepal to book their spot.
The 23-year-old played an integral part in her side’s success, winning three Player of the Match awards on the way to her country finishing second in the Super 6 stage.
Now with the closest thing to a home World Cup to look forward to, the opportunity to reach new audiences is not lost on Prendergast, who has already racked up 80 T20I caps since 2019, with four of those coming at the 2023 World Cup.
“This World Cup can absolutely take the women’s game to another level, without a doubt,” she said.
“We’ve seen how much the game has grown, with the 50-over World Cup in India last year and all the different franchise leagues. Women’s cricket is grabbing a massive amount of attention and a World Cup in England will be huge.
“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.
“It’s such an exciting time to be a female cricketer. Being on the younger side, I’ve been around a while and played a fair few games for Ireland, but it’s still exciting. Hopefully I’ve got many years ahead. The more World Cups we qualify for makes it more exciting for what’s to come.”
Prendergast has been in fine form with both bat and ball, highlighting her credentials as one of the game’s finest all-rounders.
Her figures of three for 13 against the Netherlands plus knocks of 56 and 39 not out during wins over Papua New Guinea and Namibia respectively in the Qualifier, showcased her ability to turn the course of a match.
And Prendergast has put her good run down to being able to prepare against one of the world’s best sides.
“I’m absolutely happy with where my game is at,” she continued. “We had a good winter training block at home before going to the Qualifier.
“We also had a good tour to South Africa which was challenging at times, as we were playing against such a quality side. But that left us, and me personally, in good stead heading into the Qualifier.
“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.”
Ireland’s group opponents are currently unknown as the four sides to come through the Qualifier – the other three being Bangladesh, Scotland and debutants Netherlands – have yet to be placed.
Group A consists of six-time winners Australia, India, Pakistan and South Africa, while Group B features the hosts, defending champions New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
Prendergast said she would be happy regardless of how the draw pans out but did express a desire to take on an all-time legend if she could.
“I’d be excited to play against a few of the Aussie girls,” she explained. “Ellyse Perry was my idol growing up, so it would be cool to play against her.
“Every team has standout players you want to challenge yourself against. England comes to mind, with the Irish rivalry. That would be an exciting game to be part of.”
The 2026 edition of the competition will also see four European teams involved for the first time after Ireland, Scotland and Netherlands joined England at the event.
She added: “We spoke about it after we qualified and three European teams [coming through the Qualifier] is very exciting.
“Lots of Dutch and Scottish girls especially have been playing in different leagues and players playing more regularly against each other can only help.”