Ireland eager to face England in Women’s Championship
Having notched their first-ever win at the Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this summer, Ireland return to England for a three-match ODI series.
With crucial ICC Women’s Championship points up for grabs, Ireland are raring to go against England in a three-match ODI series starting Tuesday, September 1.
Ireland are currently ninth in the Women’s Championship Standings after a 3-0 whitewash in their first series of the 2025/29 cycle against the West Indies at home back in July.
However, captain Gaby Lewis believes the travelling squad is fueled with confidence, especially keeping in mind the fresh memories from a historic win against the Windies at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier in June.
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“We’ve had a successful summer and that does make it easier in the camp,” Lewis said ahead of the series opener.
“Confidence is high after the last few months - we got our first win against West Indies in the T20 World Cup, but we were gutted to not get a win against the West Indies in that ODI series.
“I feel like they were definitely a team that we were looking to target. But this is a new series, it's a team that we have had some success against before in that 2024 summer. We’re all just looking forward to playing some more cricket for Ireland.”
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Facing them are England, who drew their opening series of this Women’s Championship against New Zealand back in May.
While the hosts are missing some key names in their squad, including captain Nat Sciver-Brunt's, Lewis believes they are still a formidable side to play against.
“They’re obviously resting a number of players, but they do have some high-quality players coming in as well.
“It’s been a real benefit that myself and Orla [Prendergast] have been playing over in England. We play against these girls for our counties, which can help our preparations for the series.”
England and Ireland square off in the ODI series opener at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester on Tuesday.
Squads
Ireland: Gaby Lewis (c), Christina Coulter Reilly, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Jane Maguire, Lara McBride, Kia McCartney, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector
England: Charlie Dean (c), Maia Bouchier, Alice Capsey, Kira Chathli, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophia Dunkley, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Jodi Grewcock, Freya Kemp, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Charis Pavely, Grace Potts, Mady Villiers, Issy Wong.
Series schedule
September 1: 1st ODI, Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
September 3: 2nd ODI, County Cricket Ground, Derby
September 6: 3rd ODI New Road, Worcester