Ireland women's squad named for SA series

The Ireland women’s cricket team has named a 13-member squad for their upcoming home series against South Africa and England Academy.

Unlike its male counterpart, the Irish women’s cricket team has both Test and one-day international (ODI) status and have a good standing among the European nations. They won the European Championship in 2001 and stood runners-up in 2005.

The team will face the South African women’s team for an ODI on July 31 which will be followed up by a one-off Twenty20 match between both sides the next day. The following day, the eves have a friendly ODI against England Academy.

Since England Academy’s regular captain Jenny Halstead is injured, Alexia Walker will captain the side for that match. All three matches are scheduled to be played at Wellington College, Berkshire.

Ireland will come into this tournament seeking victory after a 2-0 loss to the West Indies in both ODIs and a sole T20 at home. Irish captain Isobel Joyce will be keenly looking to register her first win as captain.

The squad for the three matches:
Isobel Joyce (c), Nicki Coffey (vc), Emma Beamish, Jean Carroll (keeper), Marianne Herbert, Cecelia Joyce ,Suzanne Kenealy, Ciara Metcalfe, Cathy Murphy, Eimear Richardson, Melissa Scott-Hayward, Clare Shillington, Jill Whelan