Ireland Women enter the 2026 T20 World Cup as Group B competitors with an ambitious young squad led by captain Gaby Lewis. Known for their all-rounder versatility and emerging talent, Ireland brings tactical bowling and explosive batting potential. Against England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Scotland, they'll compete as underdogs with upside.
Ireland Women Squad for T20 World Cup 2026
The Ireland squad features 15 players emphasizing all-rounder depth and emerging talent:
- Gaby Lewis (captain) — All-rounder, batting + bowling
- Amy Hunter — Batter, opening power
- Orla Prendergast — Fast bowler, pace spearhead
- Cecilia Joyce — Off-spinner, control
- Shauna Kavanagh — All-rounder, batting + bowling
- Sophie MacMahon — Batter, consistency
- Aisling Sheridan — Batter, depth
- Rachel Slater — Batter, middle-order
- Daire O'Leary — Wicket-keeper, depth
- Isobel Joyce — Spinner, squad depth
- Sarah Coulter Reilly — Batter/Fielder
- Tess Flinter — Support batter
- Laura Sheehan — Pace support
- Orla Dalzell — All-rounder support
- Clare Shillington — Batter option
Key Ireland Women Players for Fantasy Teams
Gaby Lewis — Captain (All-rounder)
Lewis is Ireland's lynchpin (51 T20Is, 892 runs, 28 wickets) — a genuine all-rounder offering batting aggression and bowling control. Strike rate exceeds 125; bowling economy under 6.8. At captain multiplier, Lewis provides dual ceiling. Select her in matches where Ireland need leadership + explosive batting.
Amy Hunter — Opening Batter (Power Hitter)
Hunter (34 T20Is, 621 runs) opens with power, strike rate 132+. Her role as primary opener makes her valuable for powerplay upside. Against weaker bowling, she'll build aggressive foundations for Ireland's lineup.
Orla Prendergast — Fast Bowler (Pace Spearhead)
Prendergast leads Ireland's pace attack (39 T20Is, 46 wickets) with new-ball control. Her economy rate under 7.0 makes her a safe pace pick. In seaming English conditions, she'll be critical for breakthroughs.
Cecilia Joyce — Off-Spinner (Control Specialist)
Joyce (42 T20Is, 49 wickets) provides mid-overs spin control with economy under 6.3. Her consistency makes her a safe fantasy pick in balanced lineups.
Shauna Kavanagh — All-rounder (Batting + Bowling)
Kavanagh (28 T20Is, 356 runs, 24 wickets) offers all-rounder flexibility. Her dual role makes her valuable in fantasy lineups seeking batting depth + bowling support.
Ireland Women T20I Career Stats (Highlighted Players)
Ireland Women Group B Fixtures — T20 World Cup 2026
- June 8: Ireland vs West Indies (Belfast)
- June 13: Ireland vs New Zealand (Dublin)
- June 18: Ireland vs England (Lord's)
- June 21: Ireland vs West Indies (second match, if applicable)
- June 26: Ireland vs Scotland (Edinburgh)
Captain & Vice-Captain Strategy for Ireland Matches
Ireland's fantasy strategy centers on Gaby Lewis's all-rounder dual value + Amy Hunter's powerplay upside + Orla Prendergast's pace penetration.
- June 8 vs West Indies: Captain = Amy Hunter (opening power), VC = Gaby Lewis (all-rounder dual)
- June 13 vs New Zealand: Captain = Gaby Lewis (batting + bowling), VC = Orla Prendergast (pace depth)
- June 18 vs England: Captain = Gaby Lewis (all-rounder value), VC = Cecilia Joyce (spinner control)
- June 21 vs West Indies: Captain = Hunter (batting ceiling), VC = Lewis (dual role)
- June 26 vs Scotland: Captain = Lewis (captain's dual value), VC = Prendergast (pace)
Recommended Ireland Women Fantasy XI
Build your Ireland Women fantasy team from these 11 core players:
- Gaby Lewis (captain) — All-rounder, dual ceiling
- Amy Hunter — Opening batter, powerplay upside
- Sophie MacMahon — Batter, consistency
- Rachel Slater — Middle-order batter
- Shauna Kavanagh — All-rounder, batting + bowling
- Orla Prendergast — Fast bowler, pace spearhead (must-pick)
- Cecilia Joyce — Off-spinner, economy control
- Isobel Joyce — Spinner, squad depth
- Laura Sheehan — Pace support
- Aisling Sheridan — Batter, depth
- Daire O'Leary (wk) — Wicket-keeper, depth
Ireland Women Player Comparisons
Gaby Lewis vs Amy Hunter
Orla Prendergast vs Cecilia Joyce
Shauna Kavanagh vs Rachel Slater
Want to compare Ireland players with opponents? Try our free Player Comparison tool.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who should be captain in Ireland matches?
Gaby Lewis for all-rounder value (batting + bowling), or Amy Hunter for opening powerplay upside. This dual approach maximizes ceiling across different match conditions.
Is Ireland a Group B underdog?
Yes — they face England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies. Ireland should beat Scotland, compete with West Indies and Sri Lanka, and face tough challenges against England and New Zealand.
Will Orla Prendergast be fit for the tournament?
Her selection indicates fitness. As the pace spearhead (46 wickets in 39 T20Is), she's essential. Monitor closer to the tournament, but expect her to be match-ready.
What's Ireland's best fantasy team structure?
Go with: 2-3 batters (Lewis, Hunter, MacMahon), 1-2 all-rounders (Kavanagh), 2-3 bowlers (Prendergast, Joyce, Sheehan). This balances batting depth with bowling consistency.
Is Cecilia Joyce a must-pick spinner?
Yes — she's the primary off-spinner (49 wickets in 42 T20Is) with economy under 6.3. Her consistency makes her a safe fantasy pick in balanced lineups.
Should I pick multiple Ireland players?
Yes — Lewis, Hunter, Kavanagh offer different roles (all-rounder, opener, bat-ball). Picking 3-4 Ireland players provides depth without overloading one team, especially against weaker opposition.
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