Photo Credit: Oisin Keniry
Ireland Women’s cricket team has arrived in Harare and is set to begin a four-match One-Day International series against Zimbabwe tomorrow – the side’s first ODI since June 2018 – with Shauna Kavanagh determined to make her mark on the series after returning from illness.
Kavanagh, 29, has amassed 90 caps since making her international debut in 2011. One of seven part-time contracted players, she hit her highest score (79*) for Ireland on a tour of Zimbabwe in early 2018. The middle-order batter, who plays her club cricket with Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin, was in good form at domestic and international levels this season until illness meant she had to miss the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.
Now fully recovered, Kavanagh is back with the Irish senior squad and looking forward to the upcoming series.
Speaking ahead of training today, she said:
“Zimbabwe is a great place to play cricket and the welcome has been brilliant. A few players in the squad have been here before so know what to expect, but for most, it’s a new experience.”
“We have been training at Harare Sports Club, which is where we will play all four games, and the facilities are great. We have had access to everything we need to make sure we’re as well prepared as we can be.”
“Personally, I have positive memories of playing cricket here in Zimbabwe, and that will certainly give me confidence heading into this series. It was very tough missing out on the T20 World Cup Europe qualifiers in La Manga at the end of August, so I am really excited to be playing cricket again – and hopefully spending lots of time in the middle.”
“Conditions have been great, and they look good wickets that we’ll be playing on. It’s warm – around 25-30 degrees – but that’s a nice temperature to be playing cricket in.”
“Everyone in the squad has recovered from the travel here and is fit and ready to go, which is brilliant as it means we have all 15 players to select from. Every one of us knows that this series is an opportunity to put their hand up and contend for a spot in the World Cup qualifying squad next month.”
The first ODI between Ireland Women and Zimbabwe Women starts at 9.30am (Harare time) tomorrow and will be available to watch via Zimbabwe Cricket’s YouTube channel.
THE SQUAD
Laura Delany (captain), Zara Craig, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Shauna Kavanagh, Gaby Lewis, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Celeste Raack, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron.
THE FIXTURES
• 5 October 2021: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women – 1st ODI (Harare Sports Club)
• 7 October 2021: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women – 2nd ODI (Harare Sports Club)
• 9 October 2021: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women – 3rd ODI (Harare Sports Club)
• 11 October 2021: Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women – 4th ODI (Harare Sports Club)
