Ireland Women's Cricket Captain Gaby Lewis Confident Ahead of England ODI Series as ICC World Cup Qualification Beckons
Ireland women's cricket captain Gaby Lewis has expressed confidence ahead of the three-match ODI series against England beginning at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester on Tuesday, with the series forming part of the ICC Women's Championship qualification pathway for the 2029 ODI World Cup. Lewis says Ireland are 'ready for England — hail, rain or shine' as the team looks to build on a historic last-ball victory over England in Belfast in 2024.
Background
Ireland women's cricket has undergone a remarkable transformation over the past decade. From a team that struggled to compete at international level, the side has developed into a genuine force in the global women's game, capable of beating the best teams on their day and consistently competitive in ICC Women's Championship cricket. The appointment of Gaby Lewis as captain has been a significant factor in this development — the Dublin-born batter is one of the most talented players in the women's game and has brought a new level of ambition and professionalism to the Irish set-up.
The 2024 series against England in Belfast was a watershed moment for Irish women's cricket. Ireland's last-ball victory in that series — one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the women's game — demonstrated that the team had the skill and nerve to compete with the very best. The result sent a clear message to the cricketing world that Ireland women were no longer a team to be taken lightly, and it generated significant media coverage and public interest in the sport across the island.
The 2026 series in England is a different challenge. England have rested several senior players — including Nat Sciver-Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, and Danni Wyatt-Hodge — to provide opportunities for younger talent, but the home side remains formidable, and Ireland will need to be at their best across all three matches to compete for the series. The ICC Women's Championship context adds an additional layer of significance: the results of these matches will contribute to Ireland's qualification standing for the 2029 ODI World Cup.
Key Developments
Lewis's pre-series comments reflected the confidence of a captain who believes her team is ready for the challenge. "We're ready for England — hail, rain or shine," she told reporters ahead of the first match in Leicester, a statement that captured both the team's competitive ambition and the pragmatic acceptance of English weather conditions that any touring side must develop. Lewis has been in excellent form in the lead-up to the series, and her batting will be central to Ireland's hopes of posting competitive totals.
England, captained by Charlie Dean, have opted to use the series as an opportunity to develop younger players, with several of their most experienced performers rested. This decision reflects England's depth of talent but also creates an opportunity for Ireland to exploit a less experienced opposition. Ireland's bowling attack, led by Arlene Kelly and Cara Murray, will be looking to take advantage of any uncertainty in the England batting line-up, while the Irish batting order will need to build partnerships and post totals that put England under pressure.
The series schedule sees the first ODI at Leicester on Tuesday, 1 September, followed by the second match at Derby on Thursday, 3 September, and the third and final match at Worcester on Sunday, 6 September. All three matches are part of the ICC Women's Championship, which serves as the primary qualification pathway for the 2029 ODI World Cup.
Why It Matters
The Ireland women's cricket team's development over the past decade is one of the most encouraging stories in Irish sport. The investment made by Cricket Ireland in the women's game — in coaching, facilities, and player development — has produced a team that is now capable of competing at the highest level of international cricket. The series against England is an opportunity to demonstrate that the 2024 victory was not a one-off but a reflection of a genuine and sustained improvement in the quality of Irish women's cricket.
For context, the ICC Women's Championship is the primary pathway to the ODI World Cup for teams outside the top tier of the women's game. Ireland's performance in the Championship will determine whether they qualify automatically for the 2029 World Cup or must go through a qualifying tournament. Every match in the Championship counts, and the series against England — one of the strongest teams in the world — represents a significant opportunity to accumulate points.
The broader significance of the series extends beyond the results on the pitch. Women's cricket in Ireland has been growing in popularity, and the team's performances at international level are a key driver of that growth. The European T20 Premier League, launched in 2026, has provided additional competitive opportunities for Irish women cricketers, and the combination of domestic and international cricket is creating a pathway for talented young players to develop their skills and ambitions.
Local Impact
In Ireland, the series against England will be followed closely by the growing cricket community across the island. Cricket Ireland has been working to expand the sport's reach beyond its traditional strongholds in Dublin, Belfast, and the north-east, and the women's team's performances at international level are an important part of that effort. The team's success has inspired a new generation of young women to take up the sport, and Cricket Ireland's underage development programmes have seen significant growth in participation in recent years. The series will be broadcast on Cricket Ireland's digital platforms, making it accessible to fans across the island.
What's Next
The first ODI takes place at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester on Tuesday, 1 September, with a start time of 1pm local time. The second match is at Derby on Thursday, 3 September, and the third at Worcester on Sunday, 6 September. Ireland will then return home before a busy autumn schedule that includes further ICC Women's Championship fixtures. Gaby Lewis has indicated that the team's focus is firmly on the England series, with the longer-term goal of World Cup qualification providing the motivation for every match.
