Ireland Women are set to face England Women in a pivotal three-match one-day international (ODI) series, a key part of the ICC Women’s Championship. The matches, scheduled for September 7th, 9th, and 11th, will take place at Stormont. The recent historic 2-1 series win over Sri Lanka will boost the ?morale of the host before facing the?? fierce opponent in form of England.

Gaby Lewis steps up as captain of Ireland

With regular captain Laura Delany sidelined due to an ankle injury, Gaby Lewis has been appointed as the interim captain for both the ODI and T20I squads. Lewis, who is recovering from a quad strain, returns to lead the team in what is seen a?s a critical juncture for Ir??ish cricket. Her leadership and experience will be vital as Ireland faces a strong England side.

The series will see the return of Una Raymond-Hoey, who has overcome an injury and rejoined the squad after a five-year stint playing in Australia. Orla Prendergast also returns,?? having recently c?ompeted in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with The Blaze. Their inclusion strengthens a squad that aims to build on their recent success against Sri Lanka.

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A vital opportunity in the ICC Women’s Championship

Currently, Ireland sits at the bottom of the ICC Women’s Championship standings with just two wins from 15 matches. This series against England presents a crucial opportunity to climb the rankings. The combination of Lewis’s leadership and the team’s recent momentum offers hope that Ireland can make significant progress in the championship and continue their upward trajectory on the international stage.

Ireland’s top-choice playing XI for the ODI series against England: 

1. Sarah Forbes �Batter
   • Role: Aggressive opener with the ability to give a strong start.
2. Amy Hunter �Wicketkeeper Batter
   • Role: Key player providing stability with the bat and expertise behind the stumps.
3. Orla Prendergast (c) �All-rounder
   • Role: Captain and crucial all-rounder who can contribute significantly with both bat and ball.
4. Leah Paul �All-rounder (Left-Hand Batter, Slow Left Arm Orthodox)
   • Role: Middle-order batter and effective slow left-arm bowler, adding depth to both departments.
5. Rebecca Stokell �Batter
   • Role: Reliable middle-order batter, important for stabilizing the innings.
6. Gaby Lewis �All-rounder (Leg break Bowler)
   • Role: Versatile all-rounder with leg-spin bowling capabilities, enhancing both batting and bowling options.
7. Arlene Kelly �All-rounder (Right-arm Medium)
   • Role: Adds balance to the team with medium pace and lower-order batting.
8. Jane Maguire �Bowler (Right-arm Medium)
   • Role: Provides medium pace bowling, essential for containing runs and taking key wickets.
9. Alana Dalzell �Bowler (Right-arm Medium)
   • Role: Adds depth to the medium pace attack, contributing to the pace options.
10. Freya Sargent �Bowling All-rounder (Right-arm Off-break)
    • Role: Offers off-spin bowling and useful lower-order batting.
11. Aimee Maguire �Bowler (Slow Left-arm Orthodox)
    • Role: Provides spin options with slow left-arm orthodox, crucial for varying the attack.

Team balance and strategy:

• Batting: The top order with Forbes and Hunter provides a solid start, while Paul and Stokell offer stability in the middle order.
• All-rounders: Prendergast, Lewis, and Kelly offer balance, with the ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game.
• Bowling: A diverse mix of pace and spin options, including both medium and slow bowlers, ensures a versatile attack.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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