Former skipper Laura Delany will miss next month’s Women’s T20 World Cup in England after picking up an untimely injury, forcing Ireland to bring 18-year-old all-rounder Alice Tector into the 15-strong squad.
Tector, younger sister of men’s batter Harry, has five ODIs to her name but is still waiting for a first T20I cap. That should arrive during Ireland’s home tri-series against West Indies and Pakistan, starting in Dublin on Thursday and doubling as their final warm-up ahead of the global tournament, which begins in a fortnight.
Delany’s absence removes 75 ODIs and 132 T20Is worth of experience. Graeme West, Cricket Ireland’s director of high performance, summed up the camp’s mood: “We are all devastated for Laura – she’s one of the toughest competitors that has ever played for Ireland Women and we wish her well with her recovery.”
Tector’s recent domestic numbers helped her edge ahead of more seasoned options: 109 runs at better than a run a ball and three wickets in this season’s Super T20 Series. West added: “Alice herself has had to deal with injuries over the last 12 months, but has shown a great temperament since returning to play in 2026.”
Captain Gaby Lewis admitted losing Delany is “a huge blow”, yet insisted the group remains optimistic. “We’ve been building depth for moments like this,” she said in a team release. “Alice has earned her chance.”
Ireland open their World Cup campaign against Scotland at Old Trafford on 13 June. The schedule then moves quickly into meetings with Australia, Bangladesh and hosts England; realistic qualification hopes hinge on winning at least two of those matches.
Squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup
Gaby Lewis (capt), Orla Prendergast (vice-capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Alice Tector, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell.
Squad for the tri-series v West Indies and Pakistan
Orla Prendergast (capt), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Alice Tector, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Aimee Maguire, Lara McBride, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Rebecca Stokell.
