Laura Delany joins Lancashire Thunder until end of Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season

MANCHESTER – Cricket Ireland has agreed to release Laura Delany to play for Thunder Cricket as the region’s overseas player for the final four matches of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Delany’s arrival, ostensibly to replace Deandra Dottin who has left to play in the women’s Caribbean Premier League, will see the 30-year-old all-rounder play in the Thunder’s remaining matches in the competition.

Regional Director of Women’s Cricket, David Thorley, said: “Firstly, on behalf of everybody connected to Thunder, I would like to thank Deandra for her efforts this summer, her experience has helped us greatly both on and off the field. We wish her well in the CPL back home.

“Once we realised that we would be without Deandra for the final four 50 over matches of the season, we felt it was important to replace her experience and run scoring ability in the middle order and we feel that Laura fits the bill perfectly.

“After captaining her country for over seven years and making almost 150 appearances on the international stage, Laura will bring vital experience to our squad and we hope that her contributions on the field will help us to finish the season strongly.”

Laura Delany said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to join the Thunder. I’m just keen to get going – which will start with a practice match today. The Thunder squad is full of talented players – many have played in The Hundred recently or in an English squad before – so it will be great to play alongside them, but also under the quality coaching staff we have at the club. I’m looking forward to the challenge over the next few weeks and being part of this high-profile competition.”