AS THE IRELAND men arrive home following an underwhelming performance at the World Twenty20, it’s now up to the women to fly the flag as they begin their campaign in India.
Aaron Hamilton’s side will open their tournament against New Zealand this morning infused with the belief they can upset the odds on at least one occasion and highlight the progress they’ve made.
After eight years of missing out on qualification for a major tournament, Ireland ended that barren streak two years ago but were exposed and suffered heavy defeats in each of their four group outings.
They secured a berth in India in the most dramatic of circumstances by winning the qualifying tournament before Christmas and no stone has been left unturned in their preparation since.
The squad have spent the last three weeks acclimatising in India and by the time the first ball is bowled later this morning in Mohali, they will be more than ready.
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“It will be difficult to win a game, we know that, but we’re fully aware that we’re capable of doing it,” captain Isobel Joyce said. “We’d be disappointed not to get at least one win, there’s no point of being here if we weren’t aiming for four.
“We’ve had a good period of preparation and we know our strengths. There’s nothing to suggest we can’t go out there and compete. Twenty20 is a funny game and anyone can compete on their day.
“We’ll be hoping it all clicks because if it does we know we can give anyone a game.”
Unlike the men who had to play in an initial group phase, Ireland are straight into the main draw and are guaranteed fixtures against some of the world’s leading sides.
New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and world champions Australia represents the stiffest of challenges but Ireland head into them with confidence instilled in them by a burgeoning organisation.
Ireland suffered four defeats in the last WT20 in Bangladesh. Barry Chambers / INPHO
Barry Chambers / INPHO / INPHO
Cricket Ireland have provided all the tools required to match the Full Members in terms of preparation and off the field resources and now the onus is on the players to conjure a string of performances which reflect the swelling levels of professionalism.
It’s easier said than done, of course, particularly given the paucity of fixtures at the top-level Ireland are exposed to but our cricket teams have always had a propensity to ruffle a few feathers.
After the men failed to live up to those high expectations, it wouldn’t be a bad time for the women’s national team to announce themselves on the world stage.
Ireland squad: Isobel Joyce (capt), Catherine Dalton, Laura Delany, Kim Garth, Jennifer Gray, Cecelia Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Robyn Lewis, Ciara Metcalfe, Kate McKenna, Lucy O’Reilly, Clare Shillington, Mary Waldron.
Fixtures:
v New Zealand, Mohali, Friday 18 March (10am)
v Sri Lanka, Mohali, Sunday 20 March (10am)
v South Africa, Chennai, Wednesday 23 March (2pm)
v Australia, Delhi, Saturday 26 March (10am)
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'We’ll go into every game looking to win it. That’s why you play sport'
AS THE IRELAND men arrive home following an underwhelming performance at the World Twenty20, it’s now up to the women to fly the flag as they begin their campaign in India.
Aaron Hamilton’s side will open their tournament against New Zealand this morning infused with the belief they can upset the odds on at least one occasion and highlight the progress they’ve made.
After eight years of missing out on qualification for a major tournament, Ireland ended that barren streak two years ago but were exposed and suffered heavy defeats in each of their four group outings.
They secured a berth in India in the most dramatic of circumstances by winning the qualifying tournament before Christmas and no stone has been left unturned in their preparation since.
The squad have spent the last three weeks acclimatising in India and by the time the first ball is bowled later this morning in Mohali, they will be more than ready.
“It will be difficult to win a game, we know that, but we’re fully aware that we’re capable of doing it,” captain Isobel Joyce said. “We’d be disappointed not to get at least one win, there’s no point of being here if we weren’t aiming for four.
“We’ll be hoping it all clicks because if it does we know we can give anyone a game.”
Unlike the men who had to play in an initial group phase, Ireland are straight into the main draw and are guaranteed fixtures against some of the world’s leading sides.
New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa and world champions Australia represents the stiffest of challenges but Ireland head into them with confidence instilled in them by a burgeoning organisation.
Cricket Ireland have provided all the tools required to match the Full Members in terms of preparation and off the field resources and now the onus is on the players to conjure a string of performances which reflect the swelling levels of professionalism.
It’s easier said than done, of course, particularly given the paucity of fixtures at the top-level Ireland are exposed to but our cricket teams have always had a propensity to ruffle a few feathers.
After the men failed to live up to those high expectations, it wouldn’t be a bad time for the women’s national team to announce themselves on the world stage.
Ireland squad: Isobel Joyce (capt), Catherine Dalton, Laura Delany, Kim Garth, Jennifer Gray, Cecelia Joyce, Shauna Kavanagh, Amy Kenealy, Gaby Lewis, Robyn Lewis, Ciara Metcalfe, Kate McKenna, Lucy O’Reilly, Clare Shillington, Mary Waldron.
Fixtures:
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