Ireland Women's squad announced for Thailand tour pending Coronavirus travel advice

DUBLIN – Cricket Ireland today announced the 14-player squad provisionally scheduled to travel to Thailand to play a Quadrangular 50-over series in April 2020. However, the governing body is closely monitoring the developments of the coronavirus outbreak and has been seeking advice from the host nation, the ICC, government and sports bodies over travel advice to the Asian country.

The tournament, to be held in Chiang Mai, will feature hosts Thailand, Zimbabwe and Netherlands, and will see Ireland play six 50-over matches between 3 and 11 April, as part of its preparation for the ICC World Cup Qualifier tournament in July (in Sri Lanka).

The fixture schedule is:

Fri, 3 Apr 2020: Ireland v Netherlands

Sat, 4 Apr 2020: Ireland v Zimbabwe

Mon, 6 Apr 2020: Ireland v Thailand

Wed, 8 Apr 2020: Ireland v Netherlands

Thu, 9 Apr 2020: Ireland v Zimbabwe

Sat, 11 Apr 2020: Ireland v Thailand

The squad is:

Laura Delany (Captain), Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Louise Little, Sophie MacMahon, Lara Maritz, Louise McCarthy, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Celeste Raack, Una Raymond-Hoey, Eimear Richardson, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.

Ed Joyce, Head Coach of Ireland Women, said: “This is an exciting young squad who are beginning to forge a new identity for itself, under the guidance of our experienced skipper Laura Delany.”

“The series will be important preparation for the upcoming 50-over World Cup Qualifier in July, in conditions that will not be too different to those we will face in Sri Lanka at that tournament. Six competitive matches in a condensed period will also be a good test for this young squad, mimicking what they will expect during the Qualifier.”

“We welcome medium-pace bowler Louise McCarthy back into the senior squad, having played her last international in 2017. And leg-spinner Cara Murray returns too after missing the T20 World Cup Qualifiers last year.”

“One notable absence from this tour is vice-captain Kim Garth, who is unavailable for personal reasons. While she will be a big miss, it does provide an opportunity for another young player to step in and demonstrate their skills on the international stage, giving us a great opportunity to assess the squad ahead of the important World Cup Qualifier in July in Sri Lanka.”

Richard Holdsworth, Performance Director at Cricket Ireland, said: “We are working closely with both Irish and British governments, as well as liaising with sporting authorities north and south, to ensure we are fully informed and confident that sending a squad to Thailand will be safe.”

“At present, Sport Ireland advice indicates that travel to that part of the world should be for essential travel only, but the situation is developing on an almost daily basis. Since our foremost priority is duty of care to players and support staff, we shall continue to monitor the situation, and comply with the appropriate advice until the point we need to make a definitive decision in the coming weeks.”