Unbeaten Ireland on target for T20 World Cup qualification
Ireland have booked their place at next year's Global Qualifier as they attempt to qualify for the Women's T20 World Cup for a fifth time.
Ireland's quest to feature at next year's ICC Women's T20 World Cup has been boosted by their unbeaten run at the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier in the Netherlands.
Gaby Lewis' side cruised to an emphatic 179-run victory over Germany on Sunday to make it four wins on the trot at the European Qualifier and in the process booked their place at next year's Global Qualifier.
WATCH ALL MATCHES FROM THE EUROPEAN QUALIFIER LIVE ON ICC.TV
Germany v Ireland | Europe Qualifier Div 1 | ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Ireland account for Germany in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Europe Qualfiier Division 1.
The Global Qualifier is scheduled to take place in Nepal in January, with the top four teams at the event then progressing through to the 10th edition of the T20 World Cup in England and Wales in the middle of next year.
Ireland have featured at the Women's T20 World Cup on four occasions and look in good shape to qualify for a fifth time based upon their form at the European Qualifier.
Ireland v Italy | Match Highlights | Europe Qualifier Div 1 | ICC Women's T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis stars for Ireland in their ICC Women's T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier Division 1 win over Italy.
Teenager Amy Hunter was the star of the show for Ireland at Hazelaarweg Stadium in Rotterdam on Sunday as she scored her second T20I century to help her side post 223/1, with Germany only managing 44/8 in reply.
Hunter hit 17 boundaries on her way to an unbeaten 114 during a 67-ball stay at the crease, combining well with Christina Coulter Reilly (21) and Leah Paul (62*) to put Ireland firmly in control.
Paul and Laura Delany collected two German wickets in reply to ensure a clinical victory, with Ireland still to play a further two fixtures at the European Qualifier before they can turn their attention to the Global Qualifier tournament at the start of next year.
Gaby Lewis | Ireland's ace cricketer | 100% Cricket
Lewis believes her side are improving greatly with every performance and there is competition for spots in the XI given the quality of players available for selection.
"Everybody that's come in has put up their hand and taken that opportunity and it's making selection and conversations for squads and things so much harder, which is what we want," Lewis said post-match.
"At the end of the day, it's going to make us better as a team and that's what we want, so it's great to see the girls taking that opportunity."
Ireland take on hosts Netherlands on Tuesday, before a final hitout against Italy on Wednesday. All matches from the European Qualifier are live on ICC.TV.