Ireland has played 16 T20 World Cup matches but is yet to register a win. | Photo Credit: Ireland Women’s Cricket/X

It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that Ireland goes into the 2026 edition of the ICC women’s T20 World Cup as one among the underdogs.

While this might be the team’s fifth appearance in the competition, after the 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2023 editions, not once has it advanced past the group stage, and the team missed out on qualifying for the last edition as well. 

In fact, Ireland is yet to win a match in T20 World Cups — its record reads 0-16. However, the team will be no pushover.

Ireland kickstarts its campaign against Scotland on June 13 in Old Trafford. Ireland is drawn in Group B alongside England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Scotland, and West Indies.  

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Here’s a look at Ireland’s squad.

Gaby Lewis, 25, captain, right-handed opening batter

Captain Gaby Lewis is perhaps the biggest name and the most accomplished player in the Irish set-up. 

Lewis, who will be leading the side for the first time in a T20 World Cup, was the leading run-getter during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier with 276 runs to her name from seven matches, which helped Ireland qualify for the World Cup for the fifth time. 

The 25-year-old is also the highest run scorer for Ireland in T20Is, with 3048 runs in 114 matches at an average of 31.42.

Lewis holds the record for the youngest debutant in T20Is in women’s cricket history among full member nations — the now Ireland captain was just 13 years and 166 days old when she made her debut in 2014.

Her record in Women’s T20 World Cups, however, could do with some improvement. In ten games, she has aggregated only 194 runs at an average of 24.25. This will be Lewis’ third appearance at the T20 World Cup. 

Amy Hunter, 20, right-hand batter, wicket-keeper 

Amy Hunter made her T20I debut for Ireland in 2021 after representing Australia in the U-19 circuit. Hunter, like Lewis, has multiple accolades to her name. Hunter is the youngest cricketer, male or female, to score a century in an ODI, a feat she achieved on her 16th birthday against Zimbabwe in 2021.

Hunter has made 63 appearances for Ireland in T20Is, having scored 1570 runs which includes six half-centuries and two centuries. 

The 20-year-old will be making her first appearance in the forthcoming T20 World Cup. Hunter is expected to open the batting alongside captain Gaby Lewis. 

Arlene Kelly, 32, right arm pace bowling all-rounder

New Zealand born Arlene Kelly will spearhead the bowling unit for the Irishwomen in the tournament.

Kelly made her T20I debut in 2022 and within the span of just four years, has already emerged as the second highest wicket taker for Ireland in the shortest format, and the third highest overall across formats, underlining just how impressive she has been in her short career. 

In 66 matches in T20Is, Kelly has taken 88 wickets at an outstanding average of 14.54 and a miserly economy rate of 6.10, including three four wicket hauls and two five wicket hauls.  

The 32-year-old is also a handy batter down the order, possessing the ability to play impactful cameos and strike a few big shots. Like Hunter, Kelly too will be making her first appearance at a T20 World Cup.

Ava Canning, 20, right arm pace bowler

One of the youngest members of the squad, Canning made her T20I debut in 2021. She is known for her inswinging yorker, the delivery she used to take her very first wicket on debut. 

Canning also has the ability to extract extra bounce off the surface thanks to her tall frame, and is expected to play the supporting role to Kelly in the bowling unit.

Canning has taken 32 wickets from 47 matches in T20Is, and will also be making her first appearance at a T20 World Cup.  

Orla Prendergast, 24, top order right handed batting all-rounder

At just 24 years, vice-captain Orla Prendergast is one of the most experienced players in the relatively young Irish squad. Prendergast made her T20I debut in 2019 and quickly became a mainstay in the team due to her all-round skills. Prendergast bats at three, and bowls with the new ball as well as in the middle overs and in the death overs. 

Prendergast is one of only two players after Laura Delany to have scored more than 1500 runs and taken more than 50 wickets in the shortest format of the game for Ireland.  

Prendergast has experience playing in global T20 leagues like the Women’s Big Bash League for Adelaide Strikers and the Women’s Caribbean Premier League for the Trinbago Knight Riders. 

Prendergast excelled in her only other appearance at T20 World Cup in the 2023 edition, when she was named in ICC’s Most Valuable Team of the Tournament for her performances. In four matches in that edition, the 24-year-old scored 109 runs including one half-century while also taking three wickets at an impressive economy rate of just 6.00. 

Christina Coulter Reilly, 22, wicket-keeper

Christina Coulter Reilly is the backup keeper for Amy Hunter in the Irish squad. 

Still very much in her early days in her cricketing career, Coulter Reilly has made just 12 appearances for Ireland in T20Is.

Louise Little, 23, right-hand medium pacer

Louise Little, like Coulter Reilly is expected to serve as backup for the bowling attack led by Arlene Kelly. 

Little, who made her T20I debut in 2019 when she was just 14-years-old, has pretty ordinary numbers in her 38 appearances since- she has accounted for only two wickets.

Louise is the sibling of fast bowler Josh Little, one of Ireland’s best performing fast bowlers. Josh has also played for Gujarat Titans in the IPL. 

Leah Paul, 26, middle order left-handed batting all-rounder

Leah Paul is another name that brings a lot of experience to the squad. Paul, who made her T20I debut in 2019, represented Ireland in the 2021 edition of the T20 World Cup. 

The 26-year-old, being left-handed, brings much-needed balance to a right-hand heavy batting lineup. Paul also has the ability to bowl part-time slow left arm orthodox spin. In 73 matches in T20Is, Paul has amassed 794 runs, including three half-centuries.

Alana Dalzell, 25, right arm medium pacer

Alana Dalzell is the first woman from the northwest region of Ireland to become a professional cricketer. 

Dalzell made her T20I debut in 2023 and has picked up 17 wickets from 22 matches at an average of 26.82 and economy rate of 6.85.

Dalzell grew up playing for the men’s team for her club Bready CC and possesses the ability to swing the ball away from the right-hander.

Georgina Dempsey, 21, right arm medium pace bowling all-rounder

Dempsey made her T20I debut in 2021 and was part of the Irish squad for the 2023 T20 World Cup but has struggled with injuries in recent times which has kept her on the sidelines.

In 20 matches in T20Is, Dempsey has taken 13 wickets and having regained full fitness, is expected to play an important role for her team in the bowling front. 

Aimee Maguire, 19, slow left arm orthodox bowler

Aimee Maguire’s initial few months of her young career was unfortunately a controversy-filled one. Just under two years after making her T20I debut in 2023, Maguire was reported for suspected bowling action in January 2025. 

And following an assessment by ICC, her action was deemed illegal in February which forced her to miss the 2025 U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. 

However, she was given clearance to resume playing in November later in the same year and with her new remodelled action since then, she has been a vital cog of the Irish set-up and is expected to lead the spin bowling department. 

In 19 appearances, Maguire has taken 18 wickets at an average of 23.94 and like many of her peers, will be making her first appearance at a T20 World Cup in the 2026 edition.

Alice Tector, 18, right arm medium bowling all-rounder

The youngest member of the squad, Alice Tector was not originally supposed to make the trip to England but an injury to Laura Delaney paved the way for her inclusion. 

Tector has not been a regular for Ireland in the shortest format, having played only three matches so far. Alice is the sister of Harry Tector, who has been a mainstay for the men’s team since his international debut in 2019.

Lara McBride, 20, right arm off-break bowler

The sole off-spinner in the squad, Lara McBride will partner Aimee Maguire in the spin bowling department. 

McBride will be entrusted to provide breakthroughs in the middle overs like she has done on multiple occasions in the past. 

In 18 matches in T20Is, McBride has taken 19 wickets at an average of 19.21 and economy rate of 6.61.

Cara Murray, 25, right arm leg-break bowler

Having a leg-spinner in your team in any format of the game adds immense depth and variety which makes Cara Murray a valuable commodity in the squad.

Murray has been around for sometime, having made her T20I debut in 2018 and while her best performances have come in ODIs, her numbers in T20Is are not below average by any stretch.

In 62 matches in T20Is, Murray has taken 45 wickets at an average of 25.68 and an economy rate of 6.92.

Rebecca Stokell, 26, right-handed batter

And last but not the least, Rebecca Stokell. Stokell has primarily been used as a floater, sometimes as a top order batter, sometimes in the middle order, and at times as a finisher.

The 26-year-old brings with her 75 matches of experience, and has scored 868 runs in the shortest format. 

Stokell was part of the squad for the 2018 edition but did not get the opportunity to play.    

Published on Jun 13, 2026