Cricket Ireland has named the Ireland Women’s squad for next month’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England, with Gaby Lewis set to captain the side at a major global tournament for the first time.
The announcement marks another landmark moment in the continued rise of the Ireland Women’s programme, which heads into the tournament ranked ninth in the ICC Women’s T20I rankings and carrying growing expectations after a series of notable performances on the international stage.
Lewis will be rested from the preceding Tri-Series at Clontarf as she continues her recovery from a recent leg injury. In her absence, Orla Prendergast, currently ranked the seventh best all-rounder in women’s T20 international cricket, will captain Ireland during the Evara Women’s International Tri-Series against Pakistan and the West Indies.
Ireland will compete in Group 2 of the 12-team ICC Women’s T20 World Cup alongside England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Scotland, with the top two teams progressing to the semi-finals.
Ireland heads to the tournament looking to build on a growing body of achievements in women’s international cricket. Ireland Women have previously qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2023, with one of the programme’s defining moments coming in 2018 when Ireland secured a memorable victory over New Zealand on the global stage.
The 2026 squad blends that experience with a younger generation that has emerged through Cricket Ireland’s development pathway. It includes Amy Hunter, who in 2021 became the youngest player in international cricket history — male or female — to score an ODI century when she made an unbeaten 121 against Zimbabwe on her 16th birthday.
The return of Aimee Maguire from injury is a welcome boost ahead of a demanding summer schedule, although Jane Maguire has been ruled out through injury.
Ireland Women’s squad for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is:
Gaby Lewis (captain), Orla Prendergast (vice-captain), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell.
The squad for the Evara Women’s International Tri-Series at Clontarf sees Prendergast take the captaincy role, with the tournament providing Ireland an important opportunity to build momentum and sharpen preparations ahead of the World Cup.
Cricket Ireland and Evara, Ireland’s largest privately-owned homebuilder, recently announced a new multi-year sponsorship deal that will support women’s cricket and the All-Ireland Irish club cup competitions. Read more on Sport for Business here.
The Tri-Series begins on 28 May when Ireland face West Indies at Clontarf, before meetings with Pakistan on 31 May and 4 June.
Ireland’s World Cup campaign begins against Scotland at Old Trafford on 13 June, before further group fixtures against England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
With increased visibility, stronger professional structures and improved performances in recent years, the tournament represents another significant opportunity for Ireland Women to continue building their presence among the game’s leading nations and to further elevate the profile of women’s cricket in Ireland.
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Image Credit: Cricket Ireland and Sportsfile
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