DUBLIN – Star wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter will miss the upcoming tour to India after sustaining a foot injury, with Joanna Loughran called up to Ireland Women’s squad as replacement.
Ireland Women are set to play their first-ever bilateral series against India in India this month – with the three one-day internationals part of the ICC Women’s Championship. The series follows Ireland Women’s 3-0 T20I series win in Bangladesh against the host side.
Gaby Lewis will captain the 15-player squad with Orla Prendergast vice-captain.
Leinster CC’s Loughran, 20, made her international debut in February 2024 and returns to the squad after missing out on the recent Bangladesh tour. However, Alice Tector was unavailable for selection due to injury.
Ed Joyce, Ireland Women’s head coach, said:
“Over the coming years we will be playing a lot in Asia and our ability to adapt quickly is crucial. The recent T20I series win in Bangladesh has given the squad a real boost in confidence, and demonstrates that the series win in Pakistan in late 2022 wasn’t just a one-off, but a shorter three-match tour like this one means we’ll have to be at our best from the first ball.
“Amy is a big loss – while just 19 years old, she has already amassed 74 caps under her belt – but we have worked hard at developing and preparing a wider pool of players to manage the step up to the international stage, and are confident in our squad.”
SQUAD
The Ireland Women’s squad is:
- Gaby Lewis (Phoenix / Scorchers) – captain
- Ava Canning (Leinster / Typhoons)
- Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf / Scorchers)
- Alana Dalzell (Bready / Dragons)
- Laura Delany (Leinster / Typhoons)
- Georgina Dempsey (Phoenix / Typhoons)
- Sarah Forbes (Phoenix / Typhoons)
- Arlene Kelly (Malahide / Dragons)
- Joanna Loughran (Leinster / Typhoons)
- Aimee Maguire (The Hills / Scorchers)
- Leah Paul (Merrion / Scorchers)
- Orla Prendergast (Pembroke / Dragons)
- Una Raymond-Hoey (Ringwood)
- Freya Sargent (Clontarf / Typhoons)
- Rebecca Stokell (Merrion / Typhoons)
Coaching and support staff: Ed Joyce (Head Coach), Glenn Querl (Assistant Coach), James Cameron-Dow (Spin Bowling Coach), Beth Healy (Team Manager), Calum Burdett (Strength & Conditioning), Jay Shelat (Performance Analyst), Niall Ward (Physiotherapist)
The Irish squad will travel to India on 5 January and have three practice sessions before the first match.
FIXTURES
- 10 January 2025: India Women v Ireland Women – 1st ODI (11am start; Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot)
- 12 January 2025: India Women v Ireland Women – 2nd ODI (11am start; Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot)
- 15 January 2025: India Women v Ireland Women – 3rd ODI (11am start; Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot)
*time local to ground