Team preview: Ireland

Ireland will be participating in the ICC Women's World T20 for the third time and will want to make it count after putting in some good performances to seal their spot by finishing second in the qualifiers earlier this year.

But Ireland are currently No.10 in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I Team Rankings, and they will have to up their game when they face the top sides in the Caribbean.

They are coming off an inconsistent run in the 20-over format. In 2018, in nine T20Is, they have won five and lost four. In the qualifier, though, they were on a winning spree, winning everything before the final against Bangladesh.

So what they need is a collective and consistent effort in the marquee tournament.

Their experienced squad includes players like Isobel Joyce, captain Laura Delany, Cecelia Joyce, Amy Kenealy, Lucy O’Reilly, Clare Shillington and Mary Waldron, who featured in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the tournament too. While Isobel is Ireland's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, Shillington, who is the most experienced of the lot, is leading the run-scorers' chart.

They also have able youngsters in Gaby Lewis, the middle-order batter, and the uncapped batter Rebecca Stokell, who is ready to make a mark. However, the onus will be mainly on the experienced players, who've been around and are aware of the pressures of playing on the big stage.

The inclusion of uncapped leg-spinner Celeste Raack, who has played most of her cricket in Australia, adds a surprise factor to the side. Her experience of playing for Tasmania and in the Women's Big Bash League for Hobart Hurricanes alongside and against some of the top players from across the globe will come in handy for the team.

Strengths

Ireland's batting is their strength with experienced hands like Shillington and Cecelia, and a reliable middle-order batter in the 17-year-old Lewis, who is in good form. They also have brilliant all-rounders in Delany, Isobel and Eimear Richardson keeping the balance right.

With the wickets in the West Indies expected to assist the slower bowlers, Ireland could also utilise Lewis' spin bowling alongside their regular frontline spinner Ciara Metcalfe. Ireland also have a strong pace attack comprising Kim Garth, O’Reilly and Delany.

Weaknesses

A concern for Ireland is their lower-order batting, which has been exposed often. If the top order doesn't click, things often go wrong for Ireland.

History at the ICC Women's World T20

Ireland have previously featured in the 2014 and 2016 editions – however, they are yet to register a win.

Recent form in T20Is

L L L W W W W W L (most recent first)

This year, Ireland lost a T20I to New Zealand in June and a three-match series 2-1 to Bangladesh in June-July. However, the one they won against Bangladesh was a thriller as they chased down Bangladesh's 151/4 off the last ball of the game. They later went on to win their qualifier matches against Thailand, Scotland, Uganda and Papua New Guinea, before losing the final to Bangladesh.

Fixtures

11 November: v Australia, Guyana
13 November: v Pakistan, Guyana
15 November: v India, Guyana
17 November: v New Zealand, Guyana

**Squad:**Laura Delany (c), Kim Garth, Cecelia Joyce, Isobel Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Lara Maritz, Ciara Metcalfe, Lucy O’Reilly, Celeste Raack, Eimear Richardson, Clare Shillington, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron