Gaby Lewis will miss Ireland’s upcoming home tri-series against Pakistan and West Indies while she mends a leg injury, yet she has still been confirmed as captain for June–July’s T20 World Cup in England – her first time leading the side at a global event.
In Lewis’s absence, vice-captain Orla Prendergast will take charge for the Clontarf matches that start next week. Cricket Ireland have not named a deputy for the tri-series, choosing instead to keep the leadership group small. “It’s straightforward,” head coach Ed Joyce said in a brief release. “Gaby needs a little more time; Orla has done the job before and knows the group inside out.”
There is mixed news on the injury front elsewhere. Seamer Jane Maguire remains sidelined, but her sister Aimee – the left-arm spinner – has recovered and slots straight back into both squads. Apart from Lewis, the 14-strong tri-series group is unchanged for the World Cup.
The World Cup draw is not especially kind. Ireland, ranked ninth, find themselves alongside hosts England, holders New Zealand, former champions West Indies, Sri Lanka and neighbours Scotland. They start in Manchester on the tournament’s second day against Scotland – the only side in the pool currently below them in the rankings.
Lewis’s fitness is pivotal. She sits joint-14th on the ICC T20I batting list and was top run-scorer at February’s global qualifier in Nepal, piling up 276 runs at a strike-rate just shy of 120. Prendergast is next best for Ireland in the rankings at 26, while all-rounder returns place her seventh worldwide.
Recent form offers cautious optimism. Ireland finished runners-up to Bangladesh in those Nepal qualifiers, booking their ticket with a game to spare, and Joyce believes the group “have learned a lot about closing out tight games.”
Squads
World Cup: Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), 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, Rebecca Stokell.
Tri-series v Pakistan & West Indies: Orla Prendergast (capt), 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, Rebecca Stokell.
Ireland play Pakistan on Monday, West Indies two days later, then the final on Friday – three useful chances to fine-tune before the bigger stage.
